Assistant Professor of Rhetoric Sara Mehltretter Drury has been named one of NerdScholar’s inaugural “40 Under 40: Professors Who Inspire.”

“From spearheading student tutorials, to forums, to debate parties, to summer research projects, Drury has done it all—and in just three years’ time,” the Web site explains. “Through her rhetoric courses, she teachers students about the power of speech and democracy, and how they can be used to improve the world around them.

“I believe that the quality and character of our public discourse can be improved one person at a time,” Drury told the publication.

Her students, in turn, love the way she challenges them and encourages them to be their best selves.

Read more at NerdScholar.