A national organization that advances the critical study of men and masculinity has created an award recognizing Mark Justad, Guilford’s Director for the Center for Principled Problem Solving and Excellence in Teaching.

The American Men’s Studies Association has created the Mark Justad Award for Teaching and Mentorship. The award will be given during AMSA’s annual meetings moving forward.

“I was surprised and pleased,” says Mark, who joined the College as founding director of CPPSET in 2007 and teaches Religious Studies and Ethics. “The association means a lot to me so to be honored like this is very special.”

AMSA President Jeff Cohen says Mark’s involvement with the group through the years has been vital. “It is no exaggeration to state that if not for (Mark’s) commitment, service and leadership, AMSA would not exist today,” he says.

AMSA was founded in 1991. Its mission as an independent academic organization is to engage both practitioners, activists and scholars in men’s studies.

Mark served two terms as president and was a board member off and on for a decade. When he joined AMSA in the early 1990s, the association’s membership was largely confined to the Midwest and Northeast.

About 50 scholars attended AMSA’s early annual meetings/ Today, more than one-third of the association’s members are from outside the United States and a recent annual meeting attracted more than 500 participants.

“I’m thankful to be part of such a dedicated group of people who do important research,” says Mark.