In April, the Office of Student Research solicited student nominations for its Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awards (FEMA). OSR received over 20 highly competitive nominations from several departments, including Communication Studies, Theatre, Art and Graphic Design, History, English and Modern Languages as well as the College of Business and Economics. The recipients of the 2016 FEMAs share characteristics of good mentors, including expertise in the field, availability to students and guidance in a student’s growth and academic development through a one-on-one relationship.
Amorette Barber, Biological and Environmental Sciences
Dr. Barber was nominated by William Hawk, who has worked in Dr. Barber’s immunology lab for over two years. William credits genetics as a pivotal experience for him, which he describes as his “favorite biology course” and key to his interest in undergraduate research with Dr. Barber: “Ever since genetics, she has been one of my favorite professors, and because of that I have tried to take as many of her classes as possible. It is also because of my experience in Genetics that I wanted to do research in her lab.” He describes Dr. Barber as a mentor who “has constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone in order to further my knowledge. She works hands on with me but also trusts me with many responsibilities. She does everything she possibly can to help me whether it is pushing me to join honor societies or contacting old college friends to help me find a job after graduation. No matter what I need, she has been there for me and for that I will be forever grateful. Dr. Barber is truly deserving of this award.”
Dr. Barber’s mentorship has had a lasting impression on William: “Dr. Barber is the main reason that I decided to stay a Biology major. She reactivated my love for science and has pushed me to do my absolute best. She has taught me so much and helped me whenever I have needed it. She has given me so much experience in the biological field of study and is the reason why I want to go on and eventually earn my Master’s Degree. I look forward to calling her in the future and talking about my research and research students. It is because of Dr. Barber’s help and guidance that I have done as well as I have at Longwood, and for that I will be forever grateful.”
Sarai Blincoe, Psychology
Dr. Blincoe was nominated by a student who prefers to remain anonymous, yet the quality of her mentorship is apparent in the student’s statement. The student describes Dr. Blincoe as “a selfless leader and a very intelligent woman”: I have talked with my research partner about how she sometimes has so many visitors to help during lunch time that she has to warm up her food four times. She is very active within the Psychology Department and offers many opportunities for students who want to be more involved in Psychology (research lab of 6, summer interns, study abroad opportunities, teaching assistants, involvement in book club). She has been a great mentor to me because she is so confident in me and encourages me every time we work together. She offers constant feedback – when other research professors give feedback just once or twice, she literally will meet with us six or seven different times to correct a Powerpoint so that we can present the very best. I completely trust her judgment and feel that I have grown so much within Psychology because of working with her.”
Dr. Blincoe’s impact on the student goes beyond the classroom: “When talking to our research lab (who are all seniors) about their acceptances to graduate school, Dr. Blincoe turned to me and asked if I was planning on pursuing a PhD program straight out of graduating from Longwood because she thinks that’s what I should do. I am honored that she is so confident in me. I will take away from Longwood a lot of knowledge about different aspects of Psychology. I am really looking forward to experiencing a study abroad class with her this summer and working with her during my senior year. I feel like there is just so much more that she can teach me, especially if we work one-on-one.”
Sujan “Henk” Henkanaththegedara, Biological and Environmental Sciences
Dr. Henk was nominated by James Wilson, who has worked with Dr. Henk as part of the PRISM program. In his nomination, James points to Dr. Henk’s passion for research and outreach to students: “Throughout my time working with Dr. Henk I have noticed how passionate he is about learning and understanding why things are the way they are, not only with ecology, but with his students and colleagues as well. I was a quiet student and I really had a lack of direction in the field of Biology. He pulled myself and another student aside and asked us what we wanted to do and if we had any plans. Myself and the other student were in similar situations of indecisiveness. He quickly took us under his wing and never gave up on us. When I started working with Dr. Henk, I thought it was going to be like class; come in, take some notes and then leave. In a way that is what we did, if the classroom was a creek in West Virginia, the notes were crayfish measurements and leaving involved a 9 hour car ride through 3 states. My nominee really sparked my passion for the outdoors and the environment. He showed me that I can apply the skills I’ve learned in my classes to contribute to the conservation of the things I care about most. Dr. Henk honestly wants to see people succeed. He doesn’t give you the answers, he makes you find them. He doesn’t hold your hand during presentations, he sends you to talk to Virginia’s senators on your own. He shows you that, with hard work, you can achieve great things.”
Like many successful mentors, Dr. Henk has left a lasting impression on James: “My nominee has shown me the value of an education. He has opened many doors for myself though exposure to multiple networks. Throughout my time working with him I have learned the importance of meeting professionals and creating lasting relationships that I will be able to utilize in my future. His excited attitude has changed my perspective on my personal work ethic. He has also positively influenced myself and other students to push past our comfort zones and develop self-confidence in the work we do. Overall the past two years, I have personally pushed my limits to only find that I can reach new heights, this would not have happened if it were not for Dr. Henk and his positive encouragement in pursuing my goals. Lastly, I would like to say that my nominee is a scholar and a gentleman who takes the time to help others even when it is inconvenient for him. He goes above and beyond most faculty to develop personal relationships with students in order to help them pursue their goals based on their passions. I truly believe that Dr. Henk deserves this award because he great mentor, a driving force in the Biological and Environmental Sciences Program, and a tremendous asset to this University.”
Sarah Porter, Chemistry and Physics
Dr. Porter was nominated by a student who prefers to remain anonymous yet raves about her mentorship: “Dr. Porter has been an invaluable mentor as both a professor for class as well as a guide through the intricacies of chemical research. I am a biology major who really loved chemistry, and even though I had not taken that many chemistry classes Dr. Porter was still more than willing to take me on as a research student. Although it was probably more work for her, whenever I had questions or did not understand something she never hesitated to further explain and take extra time to enhance my learning. A great example of this is when we began our research together in the fall of 2015, and she spent the first couple of weeks teaching me how to do different dilutions and how to use the HPLC instrument in the laboratory. She knew we were not even going to be using that instrument very much, but she said that knowing how to use it would be great to be able to put on my resume because it is such a common laboratory instrument. She went out of her way to make me a competitive prospective applicant in chemistry even though my major is biology, and that really meant a lot to me. Another example is how she continually helped me make connections between the instruments I was using for my own research, and the instruments I learned about in my class with her this semester. Those connections have proven incredibly valuable in my learning and understanding of chemical instruments.”
This student also shows how Dr. Porter has a continuing influence on future goals: “One of the main reasons I wanted to work with Dr. Porter in a research setting was because I know that one of her interests is in forensic science. Working with her and learning more about chemistry and the impact it could have on the future of forensics inspired me to follow my dreams and apply to Virginia Commonwealth University to obtain my Master’s degree in Forensic Science. Dr. Porter was more than willing to write me a letter of recommendation, and when I learned of my acceptance she was the very first person I told. What makes it even more special is that Dr. Porter attended VCU for the exact same program before she earned her PhD. Seeing how much Dr. Porter is still inspired by the field of forensic science all these years later gives me confidence that I will earn a career that I am passionate about where I will be making a difference. I am so excited about what my future as a forensic scientist holds for me and I will always be grateful to Dr. Porter for her guidance and mentorship.”
Andrew Yeagley, Chemistry and Physics
Dr. Yeagley was nominated by Kaelyn Jefferson, who has worked with him in various research-related activities. Kaelyn refers to Dr. Yeagley’s commitment to his work: “Good mentorship is loosely defined as one who is a wise and trusted teacher that is influential and supportive. I believe that Dr. Yeagley has easily qualified for this entitlement. However, I think he should not confined to this definition, but instead he should be known for his other great quality traits as someone who cares and puts great work forth in all of his endeavors. He clearly surpasses the qualities of a good professor, as he has given me advice many times after class in the widened areas of studying abroad, career path opportunities, research, as well as current course work. His intelligence and communicative skills in the realm of chemistry has proven to inspire not only me, but has motivated many other students to pursue their passions like he does when speaking about chemistry. He, unlike many professors that I have had, does his job well because he truly loves it. He is the type of person that when I asked him what he would do if he won the lottery, I wasn’t surprised that he responded with the answer of continuing to teach. Looking up to someone so passionate about his daily encounters in his career, I really think he is the best mentor that is approachable and will listen to students, which in my opinion are the two most substantial qualities that formulate a good mentor.”
Kaelyn also explains how Dr. Yeagley has had a long-term impact: “Before I took organic chemistry, I wasn’t quite sure why I chose the chemistry major. The introduction classes seemed monotonous, but I was good at it, so I continued to pursue the major. As I entered my sophomore year, I met one of the brightest and most passionate teachers I have ever met at Longwood thus far. Dr. Yeagley makes inanimate objects come to life, almost with personalities in a way. In focusing on the most miniscule details, I began to feel the boredom quickly leaving my mind, replaced with interest and challenge. This introduction into a new world of sorts has brought me to consider much more within chemistry than I had before. I had originally planned on entering the medical field, but as I took classes with Dr. Yeagley, I began to think otherwise about a certain professional track I had never taken seriously before. Demystifying this part of science, I believe Dr. Yeagley has further broadened the options for my future. “
