The University of Toledo

Dr. Jeanne Funk, Distinguished University Professor of Psychology. She began teaching as an adjunct faculty member in 1983, was named assistant professor in 1996, associate professor in 1998, professor in 2001, and became the first woman named a Distinguished University Professor in 2006. She has been advising students for 25 years.

“Dr. Funk is one of those advisers who takes a down-to-earth, common sense approach to life,” wrote one nominator. “She understands that there are some parts of life that may take priority over education — such as family — and she does not fault students for putting those parts first.” Another noted, “She has been a reliable and accurate source of information regarding my program. With her encouraging words, eagerness to listen and unconditional compassion, I have been able to reach the point I am at now in my program.”

“How do I establish trust in my advising relationships? I have found that caring and empathy are fundamental to the development of trust. Students know instinctively if faculty care about their well-being and success,” Funk said. “In addition to caring and empathy, advisers must be truly effective. Maintaining an effective trust-based advising relationship requires accessibility and accuracy.”