Whether through organizations, departments, classes or careers, students at OU find connections with faculty and staff. These essential employees often shape the experiences many students have at the university, from offering personal and professional advice to further encouragement and support.
Three seniors told OU Daily about the mentors that made their time at OU memorable.
‘She really has absolutely changed my life’
For Megan Neaves, college would not be the same without her mentor.
Four years ago when Neaves first arrived on campus as a member of the President’s Leadership Class, a first-year leadership program, she idolized Nanette Hathaway, director of the President's Leadership Class and coordinator of Crimson Club.
“Freshman year, I would go to her and I would ask her questions and I would just eat up everything that she said,” Neaves said.
After her freshman year, Neaves applied for Crimson Club, a group of student ambassadors who operate in the Office of the President. She started to feel as though she didn’t qualify for the exclusive group, but Hathaway gave her advice and helped reassure her.
Neaves later became chair of the organization, but she still values the advice she gains from Hathaway.
“I remember being super intimidated and then thinking, ‘Oh, I'm gonna go chat with Nan and see what she thinks,’” Neaves said. “And she shined the light in on me and all my life, and it is the reason why I am where I am today.
“We have a closer relationship with one another. I'm able to not only talk to her about leadership, but also talk to her about the next stages of life and hear what she has to say. She's just really encouraged me through every phase.”
Neaves said Hathaway has taught her how to lead with grace, kindness and love. She said that Hathaway shaped her college career and will be someone she looks up to going forward in life.
“She just really has absolutely changed my life,” Neaves said. “I feel like that sounds so dramatic, but it's so true. She's that person for me, that one that I will always look up to and that one that I will always look back on when thinking about my college career.”
Amie-Latrice Perry, a human relations and women and gender studies senior and Diversity and Enrichment Programs intern, is mentored by Wesley Long, the chair of the human relations department.
‘He's so funny, but he's also so kind’
Amie-Latrice Perry, a human relations and women and gender studies senior and Diversity and Enrichment Programs intern, said mentors can influence a student’s future.
Perry met Wesley Long, chair of the human relations department, during her sophomore year of college in his intro to human relations class.
Perry said Long encouraged her to speak up in class and get out of her shell.
“He's so funny, but he's also so kind, and having someone to look up to who leads with kindness and humor first really impacted how I decided to go about my college journey,” Perry said.
Perry said Long has always made her feel safe in her identity as a Black, queer woman.
“Being a Black woman on a predominantly white campus can feel intimidating sometimes to find your place and find a space that accepts you,” Perry said. “Finding that within academia was really shocking in the most amazing and best way possible.”
Perry said Long has also been an advocate for her professionally.
“If I had questions about an internship, I never felt scared that I couldn't email or reach out to Dr. Long,” Perry said. “Not only having an open line of communication, but also ensuring that the people within his department also have that open line of communication, which it's so great to see how his abilities are able to trickle down into every space he curates.”
Katie Tramel, the Campus Activities Council chair, met London Moore, the Campus Programs coordinator and CAC adviser when she first joined CAC.
‘She leads by listening’
When Katie Tramel, Campus Activities Council chair, first joined CAC she quickly met London Moore, Campus Programs coordinator and CAC adviser.
Tramel said Moore has been immensely impactful in her college journey, helping her as she has navigated roles as CAC College Bowl chair and CAC executive chair.
“She really was a role model for me here on campus, and also last year. It was kind of daunting to run a campuswide election and she was able to reassure me and make me feel empowered,” Tramel said. “She has been not only one of my favorite people here on campus but also an inspiration every single day.”
Tramel said Moore has inspired her own leadership style. Tramel said she used to lead more directly and focus on her own ideas before others’ and Moore helped her listen and take other people’s ideas into account.
“She leads by listening and I have really tried to emulate that in this role. … I've learned more about myself, and through her guidance, I've been able to recognize how my leadership style has changed,” Tramel said.
Tramel said mentorship relationships matter because college is one of the most influential times in a person’s life.
“Being able to have people that support you and are honest with you when you need to hear something that might be hard to hear is just so, so important,” Tramel said. “Mentorships, whether it's student-student or faculty-student or any kind of relationship like that, they make you feel at home.”
This story was edited by Peggy Dodd and Karoline Leonard. Natalie Armour, Ryan Little, Mary Ann Livingood and Nikkie Aisha copy edited this story.
