As a participant in the First Scholars program, you will be matched with a faculty and/or staff mentor who will provide you with guidance and support for the entirety of your time at Westminster University. Mentors meet with their mentees at least 2 times a semester, but your unique relationship with them extends far beyond that. All aspects of the First Scholars program are geared towards helping you develop and strengthen a personal connection with your mentor and Westminster, developing a strong sense of place within the campus community and the program.
The Mentor-Mentee Relationship
Each mentor has been handpicked for the program due to their dedication to student achievement. Some were even first-generation students themselves. You will be matched with your mentor based upon what is most important to you, such as shared career interests, shared identities, personality matches, and more. Every mentor has no more than 4 mentees, allowing the First Scholars program to support as many students as possible while ensuring a quality relationship and ample time with your mentor.
Mentorship Activities
Your mentor will help you to define your career goals and track your academic progress towards them. Some mentors and students have also completed research and presented together at academic conferences. However, your relationship and Westminster experience are not limited to just your success in the classroom, they extend into the campus community and the world beyond it. Some of the other activities students have participated in with their mentors include career-oriented and outdoor leadership events, galas, and meeting for off-campus special events.
Meet the Mentors
![Oliver Anderson](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/21715845eee.jpg)
Oliver Anderson
Assistant Dean of Students
![Kelly Asao](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/24210325eee.jpg)
Kelly Asao
Associate Professor
![Kara Barnette](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/kara-barnette.jpg)
Kara Barnette
Associate Professor
![Christy Clay, Ph.D](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/christy-clay.jpg)
Christy Clay, Ph.D
Professor
![John Contreras, Ph.D](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/new-default-placeholder.png)
John Contreras, Ph.D
Professor
![Chris Davids](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/21717205eee.jpg)
Chris Davids
Associate Professor
![Connie Etter](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/20232315eee.jpg)
Connie Etter
Professor
![Trisha Jensen](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/trisha-jensen.jpg)
Trisha Jensen
Director, Career Center
![Han Kim, Ph.D](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/new-default-placeholder.png)
Han Kim, Ph.D
Professor
![Christopher LeCluyse](/_resources/images/default-source/office-of-marketing-and-communication/public-relations/news/experts/chris_lecluyse_1_square.jpeg)
Christopher LeCluyse
Professor
- Academic writing, rhetoric, history of the English language, linguistics, Medieval studies, vocal performance, and early music
- clecluyse@westminsteru.edu
- 801.832.2417
![Julian Mendez](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/21070405014.jpg)
Julian Mendez
Associate Professor
![Valentina Rojas Gutierrez](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/new-default-placeholder.png)
Valentina Rojas Gutierrez
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
![Traci Siriprathane](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/traci-siripranthe.jpeg)
Traci Siriprathane
Assistant Dean of Students, Student Wellbeing & Support
![Hal Snarr, Ph.D](/_resources/images/default-source/office-of-marketing-and-communication/public-relations/news/experts/hal-snar5eee.jpg)
Hal Snarr, Ph.D
Adjunct
- MBA
- Project-based MBA
- MBA in Technology Commercialization
- Banking, macroeconomic principles, business statistics, and economics. His research includes studies on how anti-poverty policy and economic freedom affect employment, marriage, fertility, migration, dependency, and poverty
- hsnarr@westminsteru.edu
- 801.832.2634
![Tamara Stevenson, Ed.D.](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/tamara-stevenson.jpg)
Tamara Stevenson, Ed.D.
Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and C.D.O
![Julie Tille](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/new-default-placeholder.png)
Julie Tille
Director, Center for Civic Engagement and Experiential Learn
![AJ Verkouw](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/AJ.jpg)
AJ Verkouw
Assistant Professor
- Expeditionary learning, outdoor leadership, experiential education, leadership development, group development, institutional risk management
- averkouw@westminsteru.edu
- 801.832.2876
![Tiana White](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/new-default-placeholder.png)
Tiana White
Hpw - Adjunct
![Kim Zarkin, Ph.D](/_resources/images/default-source/directory-profile-images/1502890.jpg)
Kim Zarkin, Ph.D
Professor
- Media Law, First Amendment, regulation of indecent speech, media ethics, public relations, media history
- kzarkin@westminsteru.edu
- 801.832.2823