Mehran Mesbah honored with Part-Time Faculty Excellence Award
Since joining 蜜桃视频 in the spring of 2021, Mehran Mesbah, known around campus as Mehr, has transformed more than just his classroom. He has helped shape a culture of creativity, connection and inspiration that extends beyond art and into the heart of the campus community. Now, his work is being honored with the Part-Time Faculty Excellence Award, a recognition chosen by colleagues through a process of nomination and vote.
In the nominations for this award, Mesbah鈥檚 impact both inside and outside the classroom were praised.
His nominators highlighted that Mesbah鈥檚 is an exceptional member of our part-time faculty, who works hard to bring his creativity and passion to the community through his remarkable artwork. His dedication to uniting 蜜桃视频 students and staff is evident in his piece, All Rivers Flow to the Sea.
Mesbah鈥檚 teaching journey at 蜜桃视频 began during a challenging time: right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. He credits the support of colleagues like Instructional Designer Cindi Sargent, Administrative Secretary Amanda Tortora and 蜜桃视频 Dean of Arts, Humanities and Education Kristina Vannucci for helping him navigate those early days.
鈥淓very challenge brings us closer and better at how we show up for our community,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat makes my experience of working at YC enjoyable.鈥�
His favorite part of the job? He proudly stated one thing: the students.
鈥淭he culture in my classrooms has always revolved around building positive interactions,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd my students are beginning to create their own culture! Through clubs, collective meals and hanging out listening to music between classes, they have cultivated their unique culture in the art department.鈥�
It is that shared culture and connection that fuels his teaching philosophy. Whether he is planning student field trips, coordinating student-led art clubs or brainstorming department-wide art projects, his goal is always to create more opportunities for his students to be seen, supported and inspired.
So when he learned he won the award, it hit him deeply.
鈥淲hen I first found out, I teared up a bit,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ometimes the work you do goes unnoticed. In this case, so many people told me how much they appreciate the work they see me do鈥攁nd that means the world.鈥�
Behind the scenes, Mesbah is constantly balancing a variety of tasks. On any given day, he is juggling a dozen responsibilities, but he makes a conscious effort to remain present with students.
鈥淣o matter how crazy everything is in the background, if it is the whole class or a one-on-one conversation, my attention is theirs. And good things happen.鈥�
His drive comes from a deep love of art and a passion for mentorship.
鈥淚n my art practice, as with my classrooms, finding interesting connections has given me a lifelong passion that only seems to deepen over the years,鈥� he said. 鈥淢entorship has given me longevity. Students don鈥檛 just disappear after my class ends鈥攖hey become part of a vital network of people in my community that I want to see succeed.鈥�
And for Mesbah, art is not just a job or a subject: it鈥檚 a way of life.
鈥淎rt is the OG muse,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 love teaching art appreciation because when I make those art connections鈥攜ou can feel the goosebumps in the room. That moment will be with them well after the class.鈥�
His former students are a testament to his influence. Some have gone on to master鈥檚 programs, others are teaching and many continue to make art in ways that enrich their lives. Those are the stories that keep him motivated.
Whether it is through art or a moment of mentorship, Mesbah continues to leave an incredible mark on 蜜桃视频, proving that art, at its best, brings people together and leaves the world just a little more beautiful than it was before.