A generous gift to the University of Missouri College of Education and Human Development is supporting the growth of early-career faculty and helping to cultivate nationally recognized scholars.

The Dr. Sandra Whayne Gautt Early Scholars Mentoring Fund was established to support the Early Scholars Field Mentoring Program, a key initiative that pairs new tenure-track faculty with senior scholars from other institutions. The program provides faculty with a national lens on their research goals and builds meaningful, lasting professional connections across the field.

A lifelong educator and trailblazer, Dr. Gautt dedicated her career to supporting the success of emerging scholars. Her legacy now lives on through this program, which reflects her commitment to creating pathways for academic excellence.

Creating pathways for success

Facilitated by department chairs and senior faculty members, the Early Scholars Field Mentoring Program is an intentional, structured part of the hiring and onboarding process for all new tenure-track faculty in the college. Through partnerships with nationally respected scholars outside of Mizzou, faculty receive valuable feedback, expand their research networks, and strengthen their potential to make a lasting impact in their disciplines.

Unlike traditional institutional onboarding resources, this program is designed to elevate faculty visibility and engagement on a national level.

A legacy of impact

Dr. Gautt’s gift ensures that the mentoring program will continue to grow and thrive, helping position Mizzou faculty as leaders in education research.

A respected higher education leader, Dr. Gautt spent her career creating inclusive, supportive learning environments — from classrooms to faculty development programs. Her generosity now supports the next generation of scholars in building the skills, networks, and confidence to contribute to their fields in meaningful ways.

The first cohort to complete the program includes: