Annie Wofford receives ASHE Early Career Award

Assistant Professor of Higher Education Annie Wofford has received the Early Career Award from the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), recognizing her contributions to higher education research and scholarship.

“I have considered ASHE my professional ‘home’ as an organization for the past decade, and it is profoundly meaningful to be selected for this award by colleagues who have uplifted me as a Ph.D. student, postdoctoral scholar, and tenure-track faculty member,” Wofford said.

The award honors an early-career scholar whose work demonstrates significant promise and contributions to the field of higher education. At Anne’s College, Wofford studies the structures that shape students’ pathways to graduate education, their success, and their development as graduate students.

“This award is deeply affirming, as it validates the impact of my contributions to research and practice in the field of higher education,” Wofford said. “It also validates the importance of research on individual perspectives and organizational structures of graduate education, mentorship, and student success as worthy areas of scholarly inquiry.”

Wofford’s current research includes a project examining mentorship experiences among STEM doctoral students, drawing on surveys of graduate students and their mentors to better understand how mentoring relationships shape student development, skill development, career goals and preparation.

“From these data, my colleagues and I will be able to understand how STEM doctoral students are or are not prepared to serve as mentors in their future careers. Current models of doctoral education largely focus on developing research skills, but we need to think more holistically about cultivating high-quality mentors across career sectors,” Wofford said. “Creating impactful research often relies on effective mentoring and communication, yet this is an overlooked part of doctoral student development.”

She says she hopes her research can do more than simply speak to other scholars. “I hope it can continue to drive real, sustainable changes in the structures and cultures of higher education,” she said.

Wofford also emphasized the opportunities available to students in FSU’s higher education program, which prepares graduates for careers in research, instruction, administration, and student affairs.

“As one of the longest-standing higher education programs in the country, FSU has a storied history of preparing students for a wide variety of careers, including research, teaching, administrative, student affairs, and policy-oriented roles,” she said. “From my perspective, our program also does an exceptional job of prioritizing community, humanity, and a culture of care; there is no gatekeeping related to opportunities, and our faculty and students really look out for each other.”

The 2026 ASHE Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, November 4, during the organization's 51st Annual Conference in San Juan.