Jensen recognized as a distinguished mentor

Dr. Jake Jensen earned a mentorship award as part of East Carolina University’s celebration of Research and Creative Activities Week. The ECU Graduate School named him for the 2025 ECU Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor Award in the Master’s category.

Dr. Jake Jensen stands with Adrian Knauss at a poster presentation.

Jensen, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is an associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science. He also is president-elect of the North Carolina State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.

“I love providing mentorship to the graduate students I work with at ECU,” Jensen said. “They never stop amazing me. One of the best parts of my job is getting to build friendships and relationships with these wonderfully talented and kind students. They go on to do big things and represent ECU very well after graduation. The relationships we form as we work together are priceless.”

Dr. Ariane Peralta with the Department of Biology was named the mentor award winner in the Doctoral category. The Graduate School announcement emphasized that “Dr. Jensen and Dr. Peralta are recognized for their success in mentoring graduate students in their intellectual growth; helping them develop independent research interest; and fostering development of their communication skills, interpersonal skills, research skills and professions skills.”