Dr. Roger Lee Mendoza, a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Management at Cal State LA’s College of Business and Economics, has been named the recipient of the esteemed Mary L. Todd Award by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
This prestigious national award, granted through a rigorous juried competition, recognizes a single faculty member each year and comes with both a $50,000 honorarium and a grant stipend to support sabbatical leave or similar scholarly research. Cal State LA awarded Dr. Mendoza a sabbatical last April 21. The Mary L. Todd Award is named in tribute to one of Phi Kappa Phi’s most influential leaders and highlights faculty who demonstrate exceptional scholarship, teaching, and service.
“We are thrilled to honor Roger with this year’s Mary Todd Award,” said Society CEO and Executive Director Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer. “His dedication to excellence and passion for discovery are truly inspiring. This award reflects not only his hard work but also the impact he is making in his field and beyond.”
With support from the award, Dr. Mendoza will embark on comparative insurance research focused on universalized healthcare systems in Australia, the Philippines, and Taiwan—countries whose healthcare models provide fertile ground for global policy innovation and insight. His work aims to contribute meaningfully to discussions around access, affordability, and equity in healthcare.
This honor comes on the heels of another major accolade: Dr. Mendoza was also named a 2024 Pearson Award for Excellence in Higher Education recipient. His commitment to interdisciplinary research, global engagement, and student mentorship continues to distinguish him as a beacon of intellect and leadership within the College of Business and Economics and the broader academic community.