Mentoring Center Staff

Dr. Aaron Slocum
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Director
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
“Mentoring is important because you have the opportunity to help individuals grow into the person they are aspiring to become.”

Shay Philips
Pronouns: Ze/Zir/Zirs
Communications and Programs Coordinator
Hometown: New York, New York
“I believe that mentoring is important because it provides a unique type of individualized support to navigate whatever you may be going through. Mentors can provide knowledge, resources, and connections, as well as expose you to alternative possibilities that you may have not considered otherwise.”

Kelsey Gmelich
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Coordinator for Training
Hometown: Rosedale, IN
“Mentoring is important because it allows you to learn from those who have forged the trail before you. Having a relationship built on trust and support is vital to our personal and professional growth, and can help you make better decisions now and in the future.”

Kerstin Minton
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Graduate Assistant
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
“To me, mentoring is important because it gives someone a chance to learn from and grow through a relationship with someone else. We’ve all had those seasons where we needed some guidance or simply someone to talk to about life that may have a bit of wisdom they can pass on to us, and that is when a mentoring relationship can change our lives.”

Audrey Smiddy
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers or They/Them/Theirs
Graduate Assistant
Hometown: Terre Haute, Indiana
“Mentoring is important because it not only opens doors to new opportunities, but it also helps you to recognize other pathways that you otherwise wouldn't know existed. In my experience, it can change your perception of yourself, the world around you, and it might even change the course of your life. The mentor-mentee connection is a vital part of having an enriched collegiate experience.”

Jason Worley
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Graduate Assistant
Hometown: Joliet, IL
“Mentorship to me is the key to one’s growth and development as a human being. It serves as a life changing companionship that can lead one to greatness.”