Design, Housing and Merchandising Professor receives top Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Dr. Paulette Hebert, design, housing and merchandising professor at Oklahoma State
University, received the Undergraduate Research Mentor Award from the Board on Human
Sciences at this month’s 126th Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities Annual
Conference. This prestigious award recognizes a faculty member for their exceptional
performance as a research mentor for undergraduate students.
Hebert has mentored the research of undergraduates in securing faculty and student
team internships at the prestigious Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago during
the summers of 2010 and 2011. With Hebert’s guidance, three student-led teams’ submissions
were accepted for the National Sustainable Design Expo on the National Mall in Washington,
D.C. Under her direction, undergraduate students’ work was accepted to the African
Scientific Institutes Forum also in Washington, D.C.
"Dr. Hebert's efforts will be measurable for years to come in the proliferation of
future professionals and the foundation of research she has provided," her nominators
said. “Her engagement in undergraduate research has made extremely positive changes
in the lives and futures of students she has worked with.”
Hebert received a bachelor’s degree in interior design and master’s and doctorate
degrees in Human Ecology from Louisiana State University. She has been teaching lighting
design, interior design and related subjects for more than 20 years. Her research
areas include lighting design, facility management and sustainability.
She serves on the board of directors for the Tulsa chapter of the International Facility
Management Association. In 2010 during its World Workplace annual conference, IFMA
presented Hebert its Educator Award for excellence in developing curriculum and teaching
quality. The award also recognizes prominence achieved through research and presentations
to professional organizations.
In 2012, Hebert also received the College of Human Sciences’ Undergraduate Mentor
Award. The honor goes to one faculty member each year who has brought honor to OSU
through sustained contributions to undergraduates with scholarly-creative activity,
teaching, and service.