Dean’s Blog - Mentorship: Receiving and Giving The Gift of Time
In a world where the phrase ‘me first’ is part of someone’s psyche very early in life, when you consider the faculty and staff in the College of Science at George Mason University, you’ll quickly see we live by the core value of “you first.” Or specifically, we are very student-centered. Having student success as our primary focus is not just words. Rather it is what we deliver to science majors at George Mason University every day. And honestly, it’s a key differentiator for the thousands of students and alumni who choose exploring and supporting science at George Mason.
I recently discussed my academic and professional path to this point for a podcast with the unofficial ‘Mayor of George Mason,’ Philip Wilkerson, an employer engagement consultant in University Career Services. We found ourselves talking a lot about the importance and value of strong mentorship, and the many people who have helped shape the decisions I’ve made. From a young boy and aspiring dentist growing up in a small west Texas town, to a global conservationist and academic administrator, now leading the College of Science at George Mason, meaningful support and mentorship from my family, and professional contacts along the way, have helped me make important decisions about my future and greatly shaped the scientist, leader, and mentor I am today.
Good mentorship stems from truly being willing to give one’s time to others. Really, one doesn’t ‘do quality science’ alone. I’ve been fortunate to learn and grow from the mentorship of many, starting with my parents whose unconditional support allowed me to switch from dentistry to exploring an academic career path. I forever appreciate all of my mentors, including Bob Dowler, Robert Bradley, Larry Blanton, Tim Born, Rick Diecchio, and Michelle Marks (both when she was Vice President for Academic Innovation and New Ventures at George Mason and now Chancellor at University of Colorado, Denver).
And I find that, thanks to their generous gifts of time and counsel, I too value being an engaged mentor to many students and faculty here at George Mason. And I’m definitely not alone. Mentorship and collaboration are woven into the fabric of the College of Science. And our people truly are our greatest resource, with quality mentorship in high supply.
Our faculty and staff have many opportunities to mentor both in and outside the classroom as STEM outreach is an important component of the college’s mission. For example, earlier this month, I had the good fortune to attend the final research presentations of hundreds of aspiring scientists mentored by many George Mason faculty for our popular 8-10 week summer internship program. These Aspiring Scientist Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) participants selected from across the country came to George Mason to learn what life could be like as a scientist, tackling global challenges and exploring their curiosity and interests.
It was great to see the students’ work. Yet just as importantly, I also connected with the many proud mentors who helped these middle and high school students explore STEM disciplines and chase their scientific dreams. And it’s not just the faculty and staff who get to influence others. Many of our George Mason science students also participate in these outreach activities, serving as counselors and guides, giving them invaluable mentoring and leadership experience.
Why is meaningful mentorship a critical component our educational experience within the College of Science? For one thing, almost 22% of our students are first generation students. Perhaps their mentors are family members who, like mine, sacrificed much to provide educational opportunities for their children. Or perhaps a friend, coach, or Mason Science faculty member who spoke to them about ways a quality science education can help change our world.
I grew up in a very small town where not many people in my high school went to college. In fact, my brother and I were some of the first/only to go. Coming to university gave me the opportunity to interact with people from around the world, showing me what science could make possible. I was fortunate enough to meet people throughout all stages of my education who believed in me and provided valuable time, advice, and direction that I used to guide my choices, professionally and personally.
Almost every research and student story we share has a common element of how mentorship directly influenced opportunities and our students’ success. Take Marissa Howard, who started at George Mason in a different college and switched to our College of Science for her graduate work after meeting her mentor through our ASSIP program. This scientist influenced her research focus, putting in her path opportunities to publish and patent her work, and receive hundreds of thousands of dollars for funded research. Instead of focusing solely on her own impressive trajectory, one of the first things Marissa did was create a program to teach others what it means to be a creative scientist, how to think innovatively and learn the steps to patent others’ inventions. Marissa’s mentor, Lance Liotta is the scientist at Mason with the most George Mason patents. What fuels these successful scientist? Watching others also succeed!
As we start the academic year, many high school seniors across the country consider where they would like to start their undergraduate education, or for those already at university, determine the location of their graduate or postdoc work. I encourage people to not just look at the name of the university as a way for them to build confidence, skills, and prestige. Rather, it's the quality of mentorship for their own ideas and aspirations that will fuel their scientific journey. Listen to the mentors who encourage you. This is your chance. Coming to Mason is a good risk as we do deliver on quality mentorship experiences in the College of Science at George Mason University. I appreciate all of our scientific and advising community who, like I do keep mentorship and the gift of their time at the center of their daily work.
Our success is yours.
~ Cody
