Dr. Sarah Mordan-McCombs '03 "delights in seeing the growth her students make during their time at Franklin College," according to a profile of the professor published today by the Indiana college.
"Mordan-McCombs plays the cello and the clarinet," notes the profile about the DePauw Symphony Orchestra and Tiger Pep Band alumna. "She participates in the Frankling Community Band and the Hendricks Symphony Orchestra."
The professor, who earned her bachelor's degree at DePauw University before completing her Ph.D. at the University of Notre Dame, supports the educatonal benefits of undergraduate students participating in research.
"Last October, Mordan-McCombs offered a presentation at the Indiana College Biology Teachers Association about freshman advising and optimizing student success," the profile says. "In addition, she also recently conducted a workshop at the Indiana Academy of Science about doing undergraduate research on a budget."
"I would say the thing that gives me the most joy in my professional career is watching my students get the internships and graduate school acceptances they have been working so hard for during the last four years," she says in the profile.
Franklin College is a short drive from DePauw, so Mordan-McCombs often comes back to campus to share her knowledge with students at her alma mater. She has presented her research in seminars, and Science Research Fellows has hosted her talks about pursuing graduate school admission. She also advises student leaders in the Tiger Bands.
Mordan-McCombs was recognized last May with Franklin College's Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award.
In the profile, Mordan-McCombs thanks her past teachers—including her kindergarten teacher with whom she still talks.
"I think that having so many wonderful role models, including both of my parents who are teachers and scientists, showed me that I loved teaching and loved interacting with students,” she says in the profile.
Students at Franklin and DePauw now benefit from those early lessons.