The Impact of Faculty Mentoring

Deep Shah, FF Alumnus ’08, Rhodes Scholar, Harvard Medical School
“I had many educational opportunities before college, but it wasn't until I came to UGA and met Dr. Loch Johnson that I developed a vision for my life. Though previous mentors had helped cultivate my interests in science and health policy, Dr. Johnson demanded more than academic excellence. He expected me to use my gifts for others. And perhaps more importantly, he helped me shape a career path toward that goal. Others have Dr. Johnson to thank for their careers in national security, education, even the arts. And, in an increasingly selfish age, our communities will have Dr. Johnson to thank for the commitment to service he inspired in us all.”

Josh McLaurin, FF Alumnus '10, Yale Law School
“Dr. Rouslan Elistratov is concerned with cultivating the ‘whole student.’ He doesn’t just assign readings on how martial arts cultivate awareness of the mind-body connection – he takes a class of forty people outside to practice careful physical movements and to do breathing exercises. As a faculty mentor, he brings the same level of innovation and engagement to personal conversations about his students’ futures. On numerous occasions, he has made time for me in his busy schedule to ask intellectual, prodding questions about my choices while simultaneously respecting and showing great appreciation for those choices I have made for myself.”

Tracy Yang ’11
“Dr. Phaedra Corso has played an extremely important role in my development and education at UGA. I first met Dr. Corso as a Roosevelt Scholar when she served as my faculty mentor. Her guidance and advice helped me craft a more thorough policy paper. An extremely busy and popular professor, Dr. Corso has always graciously made time to help me, whether by providing a recommendation or helping me flesh out my ideas for a policy memo. I am currently in her Health Policy and Economic Evaluation class, and her creative teaching style has made her one of my favorite professors.”

Luke Mosley ’12
“Dr. David Puett is an amazing resource for anyone interested in the sciences, but he is not one-dimensional. When speaking with him, one gets a true sense of the term ‘Renaissance Man.’ When he isn’t working in cooperation with Chinese scientists to unlock the secrets of cancer, Dr. Puett is off lecturing on Italian art. He gives great advice, but more importantly, he is living proof that you never have to compromise any of your loves in life. I can be a biochemist and a historian, and there is no contradiction whatsoever.”

Lucas Puente ’10
“One of my favorite aspects of UGA and the Foundation Fellowship has been my extensive interaction with faculty. The university’s professors are undoubtedly its biggest asset and have been fundamental to my intellectual growth and professional development. I am extremely thankful for the support and advice that my professors have offered me throughout my time at UGA. I know these relationships will continue far into the future.”

Morgann Lyles ’12
“I am convinced that my Honors faculty mentor, Dr. Bill Kretzschmar, knows something about every discipline. He understands my interest in both the humanities and the natural sciences.”

Bryn Murphy ’12
“Professor Ken Honerkamp, my Honors faculty mentor, tells fascinating stories about his experiences traveling and living in South Asia and Morocco. He hosted a memorable dinner last semester. The subject was ‘Islam from East to West,’ so we sat on his rug, drank tea, ate Indian food, read prayers from the Qur’an and poems from Rumi, and talked with Fulbright Scholars visiting from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Egypt about Middle Eastern culture and American foreign policy.”

Juan Carlos Cardoza-Oquendo ’12
“African studies professor Karim Traore has made me a member of his family. Creative writing professor Judith Ortiz Cofer has helped me see language as alive and fundamental. I can weave it to elicit magic, empathy, and deeper understanding. She’s inspired me to soak myself in the question, ‘Who am I?’ and write from there.”