News
Shaping the next generation: Dr. Erin Carrier earns the CSCE Distinguished Undergraduate Mentoring Award
February 19, 2025
Most weekdays, the area outside Dr. Erin Carrier’s office is buzzing with activity. Students gather around tables, where they collaborate on code, discuss research, and seek guidance. With her door always open, Carrier welcomes a steady stream of visitors—current students, faculty, alumni, staff, and aspiring researchers alike. Just next door, the Distributed Execution Network (DEN) lab, is equally active and filled with students immersed in high-performance computing projects. On any given day, Carrier engages with dozens of students, embodying her commitment to mentorship and hands-on learning.
Carrier once sat in the same classrooms as her students, studying computer science at GVSU. Reflecting on her undergraduate experience, she recalled struggling to see herself in an industry career, sensing she wanted something “more.” That realization led her to seek guidance from Dr. Greg Wolffe, now an emeritus professor, who introduced her to research and academic pathways beyond traditional industry roles. Under Wolffe’s mentorship, Carrier gained confidence in computer science, ultimately deciding to pursue graduate studies rather than changing majors.
She continued her education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, earning her Ph.D. in computer science in 2019. Inspired by the impact Wolffe had on her own journey, Carrier returned to GVSU with a mission—to provide students with the same mentorship and opportunities that had shaped her career. Today, her approach to mentoring is deeply influenced by the support and encouragement she once received, ensuring that her students, like she once did, discover their full potential in computing and research.
One student who shares a similar journey to Carrier is Max Foreback, a 2022 GVSU graduate and current doctoral student at Michigan State University. Foreback first connected with Carrier at the end of his second semester after completing Computer Science II (CIS 163) in her class. At the time, he was considering switching his major to physics. He was uncertain about his future in computer science, as he wasn’t aware of alternative career paths beyond industry. “Dr. Carrier was the first person to mention this to me,” Foreback recalled. Carrier informally mentored him from 2020 to 2022, helping him navigate research opportunities and graduate school preparation.
Carrier’s mentorship extended beyond Max—his younger brother, Jack Foreback, was also uncertain about his major during his first semester at GVSU. Encouraged by Max, Jack met with Carrier to explore a degree in computer science rather than computer engineering. Today, she continues to mentor Jack, guiding him through research projects with the goal of pursuing a doctorate in a field similar to her own research focus of mathematical computation.
Carrier’s mentorship spans all stages of a student’s academic journey, from those just beginning to explore research to those actively pursuing doctoral degrees. Alaina Hogan, a current applied mathematics student applying to Ph.D. programs, credits Carrier with helping her develop both confidence and independence as a researcher. “Dr. Carrier actively invests in our growth, both academically and personally, and commonly pushes us outside our comfort zones,” she shared. “Although I knew I wanted to attend graduate school before working with her, she has advocated for me every step of the way through the application process. Most importantly, she has created an environment where curiosity thrives.”
For Seth Ockerman, who worked with Carrier from 2020 to 2023 and is now pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her impact continues well beyond his time at GVSU. “Professor Carrier has an exceptional ability to inspire and support students, creating an environment where they feel empowered to explore complex research topics for likely their first time,” he reflected. “Without her guidance, I would not have had the confidence to start a career in research, and I am lucky to count her as a mentor and friend.”
Carrier’s dedication to mentoring both current students and alumni reflects her commitment to cultivating a research-driven, supportive community—one that continues to shape the next generation of scholars across computing, mathematics, physics, and evolutionary biology. Her own research in mathematical computation exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, a value she instills in her students. Whether introducing first-year students to research opportunities or guiding Ph.D. candidates as they take their next steps beyond graduate school, her mentorship has created a lasting ripple effect, one that extends far beyond GVSU.
In recognition of her profound impact, Carrier received the CSCE
Awards for Scholarly and Creative Excellence Distinguished
Undergraduate Mentoring Award at the Faculty Convocation Awards on
February 18th. This honor reflects her dedication to fostering student
success through research and mentorship. By encouraging students to
bridge computing with other scientific fields, she has not only helped
them push boundaries in research but also equipped them with the
confidence and curiosity to drive meaningful advancements in their
disciplines. As her students continue to make an impact in academia
and industry, Carrier’s influence will continue shaping the future of
computing and beyond.
Written by Shelby Harrison.