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From uncertainty to empowerment: a mentorship journey

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A new beginning

When Lily Valdes (BS ’25) transferred to the University of Georgia and its School of Computing within the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, she was navigating more than just a new campus. She had already moved from a private institution to a community college before arriving at UGA, and with each transition came new academic, social and professional challenges.

“I didn’t know how to meet people or get involved in clubs,” Lily recalled. “I was overwhelmed and shy. I just went to class and went home.”

UGA campus

That changed when she joined the UGA Mentor Program. Inspired by a class presentation and encouraged by a friend who had benefited from the program, Lily began searching for someone who could guide her, not just academically, but through the real-world challenges of entering the tech industry. She wasn’t just looking for a connection; she was looking for direction, confidence, and clarity.

UGA campus

 

A Bulldog guide

Aries Aviles (BS ’21), a UGA School of Computing alum and former transfer student, understood the complexities of starting fresh. He had once faced the same uncertainties and wanted to help students like Lily find their footing. “I was proud of what I’d accomplished,” Aries said. “And I knew how helpful it would’ve been to have someone to talk to who could answer questions or just listen.”

Their mentorship began in August 2024 and quickly evolved far beyond either’s expectations. Over the course of 16 weeks, Aries offered practical advice and emotional support; he even shared his first resume to show Lily that everyone starts somewhere.

“I didn’t even know how to write a tech resume, but Aries showed me his and said, ‘You’re not far off.’ That gave me so much confidence.”

A shift in mindset

That confidence translated into action. Lily became vice president of a student club, WeCan Code, which pairs business majors with computer science students to foster mutual learning and mentorship. “I never thought I’d be here,” Lily said. “But Aries helped me realize I had the skills, I just needed the confidence to show them.” That confidence led to nearly 50 job interviews, multiple final-round offers, and a clear understanding of what she wanted from her career.

“I learned not to settle, I got an offer outside of tech, but I knew it wasn’t what I loved. Aries taught me that passion matters and that the right opportunity will come.”

One of the most memorable moments came during a hackathon, where Lily and her team — most of them first-timers in the competition — earned runner-up honors. When judges were about to leave without reviewing their project, Lily chased them down in heels and a suit, determined to make her case. “I remembered Aries saying, ‘Don’t sell yourself short,’” she said. “So, I ran after them and asked for a chance. We ended up presenting in a back room and that’s how we got recognized. ”Aries, who had participated in many hackathons himself, was stunned. “I’ve never seen someone chase down a judge before lunch,” he laughed. “But it showed me how much Lily had grown. She had that grit all along; she just needed someone to help unlock it.”

Lessons for both mentor and mentee

Their relationship wasn’t just about career advice. The pair bonded over shared experiences, mutual respect, and personal growth. Both were transfer students. Both had faced uncertainty. And both learned from each other. “I think Lily’s journey reminded me how much can happen in a year,” Aries said. “It’s easy to forget that when you’re caught in the day-to-day grind. But watching her grow was a refreshing reminder that transformation is always possible.” Lily echoed that sentiment. “I think I’ll always remember how Aries taught me to read people at career fairs,” she said. “How to present myself, how to make an impression. That’s something I’ll carry with me forever.” And for Aries?

“I’ll remember the hackathon,” he said. “But more than that, I’ll remember the growth. Watching Lily go from unsure to unstoppable is something I’ll never forget.”

UGA campus

UGA Mentor Program evolves

The mentorship ripple effect is real as shown by Lily’s Hackathon teammates seeking Aries’s advice through her. Just like Lily and Aries, the UGA Mentor Program has organically grown — what began as a one-on-one connection platform has expanded to include “circles of success,” which pair an alumni mentor with several students, and “quick chats,” one-time conversations lasting 15 to 30 minutes that offer a format potentially less intimidating for students and more time-efficient for mentors.

“The UGA Mentor Program gave me the tools to build something bigger,” Lily said. “It helped me start a club, connect students, and even mentor others myself.”

As Lily and Aries concluded their 16-week commitment with the program, the two reflected on how far they’d come — not just as mentor and mentee, but as collaborators, peers, and friends. Their story is a testament to the power of mentorship, not just in shaping careers, but in building confidence, resilience and community. And it’s a shining example of what the UGA Mentor Program was designed to do:
Connect students with alumni who understand their journey, empower them to take bold steps, and remind them that transformation is always within reach. 

Ready to Inspire the Next Generation of Bulldogs?

Become a Mentor Today →

 

Photography by Logan Lewis

 

UGA to host monthlong Spotlight on the Arts festival

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‘Circles of Success’ empower students and alumni

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Midway through their first mentorship meeting, Sidi Ndiaye ’25 and Lindsay Ayers (BBA ’15) were both surprised at what they heard. 

“Our first meeting via Zoom was unexpectedly impactful. Hearing Lindsay share her similar journey — starting with an interest in medicine, but shifting to the healthcare business side while longing to find that balance — motivated me to fully embrace the experience,” said Sidi, a fourth year psychology student. 

“During our first meeting, I shared my experiences and insights from the health care industry. One student said, ‘Wow, that’s exactly the type of information I need to hear, I didn’t even know I needed to hear that!’” said Lindsay. “Moments like these remind me that the lessons I’m still learning can set someone up for success before they even step into the field.”  

Sidi and Lindsay are both participants in the UGA Mentor Program’s inaugural Circle of Success, with Lindsay serving as a mentor to Sidi, one of three mentees in the circle. Their relationship has blossomed through the program, leading to personal and professional growth for both as they explore their careers. 

Sidi and Lindsay meet via zoom.

Sidi and Lindsay meet via Zoom. (Photo: Submitted)

Circles of Success are a new, additional mentorship approach within the UGA Mentor Program. Unlike traditional one-on-one mentoring, this approach enables students to join a group led by a matched mentor. This model fosters collaborative learning and networking, connecting individuals like Sidi to peers and professionals who share similar interests and goals. 

Currently, there are 18 active circles supporting 75 students, with additional mentors ready to start new circles in January. 

“Group mentoring allows students to discover questions they didn’t know they needed to ask and gain insights they might not have considered alone,” said Lindsay. “In a less intimidating environment, they can learn alongside peers, realizing they’re not alone in their uncertainties.” 

“Even during my time at UGA, I’ve had a couple of mentors, but a program like this is incredibly valuable, as the individual expertise of these professionals creates a great opportunity to maximize your potential,” said Sidi. 

The UGA Mentor Program is a digital platform that facilitates mentoring relationships between students and UGA mentors — faculty, staff, and alumni. The program’s vision is for every UGA student to have a mentor before graduating, so they are focused on meeting students where they are, fostering inclusivity, and making mentorship an integral part of the student experience. Mentors participate as volunteers, driven by a genuine desire to give back. 

“She’s only here to help, and when you have that support in your life, why not use it?” said Sidi. 

“Mentors are not here out of obligation; they choose to be here because they genuinely want to help. Having once been in your shoes, they are excited to see you grow and succeed,” said Lindsay. 

Lead a circle by joining the UGA Mentor Program today

UGA Mentor Program celebrates 5 years

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The UGA Mentor Program has become a robust connection point between alumni and students.  

The secret to its success, according to Bethany Bagwell (MED ’17, EDD ’22), director of the UGA Mentor Program, is that the program has been innovating and adapting its structure since the very first day. What began as a standard one-to-one 16-week mentoring model — which still exists today — has since evolved to include one-time-only quick chats and a new “Circles of Success” model, which involves one mentor working with a group of two to eight mentees.  

“We wanted to communicate directly with the students and find out what would stop them from participating in a program like this,” Bethany remembers. “What we heard was that the formal interview-type structure can be intimidating, so we wanted to give everyone options that would best fit their needs. 

“It turns out that that type of flexibility really appealed to the mentors as well,” she says.  

In the five years since its inception, the UGA Mentor Program has become a near-ubiquitous sight for students on campus. This popularity, Bethany stresses, is all because of the students and their dedication to sharing their experiences.  

UGA Mentor Program staff pictured with Hairy Dawg.

Bethany Bagwell, Hairy Dawg, Rebecca Hughes and Drew Sanford celebrate the UGA Mentor Program’s fifth birthday at a student event in Tate Student Center.

During her freshman year, Priscilla Bissah ’25 thought she wanted to begin her UGA journey as an intended pre-law major. It wasn’t until she became involved with the UGA Mentor Program and heard from her first mentor about their experience in law school that Priscilla decided to pivot.  

“Participating in the program was really good for me because it made me realize I want to be on a totally different path in my life,” the now-intended pre-medical student says.  

“I definitely want to come back and participate in the program as a mentor once I graduate,” continues Priscilla. “It’s made such a huge difference for me, and I want to be able to pass on that experience to students in the future.” 

College can be a confusing and stressful time for students. For many of them, it is their first time away from home and the world is at their fingertips. With all that opportunity, however, can be an immense pressure to perform at a high level. Mentors can help students navigate those pressures and forge their own paths in a way that can be difficult to find anywhere else. 

“We hear stories of students who were scared or needed help and didn’t know who to turn to and were able to get that support from their mentors in this program,” Bethany says. “That’s what I’m most proud of: the impact that we are able to have on both mentors and mentees.” 

Dr. Joe Bartges (DVM ’87), Bulldog Veterinary Medicine Professor at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, has been a mentor with the program since its beginning in 2019, and he still keeps in touch with those he’s mentored over the years. “The program is really beneficial for both mentees and mentors,” he says. “I’ve learned just as much and maybe even more than the students do from these mentoring relationships.”  

Dr. Bartges has mentored students in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Georgia Veterinary Scholars Program as well as through the UGA Mentor Program. He believes that the process has kept him more connected to his students. “Mentoring has kept me engaged with where students are at mentally and emotionally more than I would be if I just stood at the front of the classroom and lectured all day long.” 

For faculty like Bartges and Ron Walcott (PHD ’99), vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School, the UGA Mentor Program provided a formal structure for the type of work they were already doing with their students.  

For Walcott, it was his experience as a first-generation student at Iowa State University that led him to mentor students through the program. “It wasn’t until I found a mentor who really worked to create a home away from home for me that I felt like I belonged,” he says. “From then on, my experience in college was much more fulfilling.” 

Mentors and mentees gather at a table.

Mentors and mentees gathered for “Bulldogs Connect,” an event facilitated by the UGA Mentor Program and Student Affairs.

Micarjo Benjamin ’26, another mentee and one of 24 UGA Mentor Program Ambassadors, also says that participating in the program helped to overcome anxiety about her future, especially as a first-generation college student. 

“I was really uncertain about a lot of the decisions you have to make about your future,” she says. “Becoming a mentee gave me the opportunity to form a relationship with someone who is well-versed in those decisions and who has made a successful career post-graduation. 

“It helped me to come out of my shell and eventually become an ambassador for the program so that other students can benefit in a similar way,” Micarjo concludes. 

The UGA Mentor Program has had quite the impactful first five years as it celebrates its birthday this year. But participants and staff have their eyes on what the future holds.  

“The goal would be to see every UGA student paired with a mentor at some point throughout their college experience,” says Bethany. “We also want to make sure that we’re staying on top of the most current research and trends in mentorship and adapting those to fit the needs of our students.” 

Are you an alum looking to deepen your connection with UGA and share your knowledge with current students? Consider becoming a mentor today and help provide resources to students for generations to come! 

A good mentor is simple to find

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The UGA Mentor Program offers connection and inspiration to participants in a variety of professional fields, including those who serve or plan to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. 

The ease of finding a mentor with his exact dream job was the first among many pleasant surprises for Cadet Chase Martel ’25 when he first began to use the Mentor Program’s online platform. An ambitious undergraduate in the Terry College of Business, Chase’s expectations were exceeded soon after he first engaged with the program. His professional goal is to become a Judge Advocate General in the United States Air Force, and he thought the likelihood of finding a UGA alum in that career who was also a mentor was low. Enter: a “major” surprise. 

“It’s been really impactful to have someone who is working my dream job to offer his perspective and experience by looking back to when he was in my shoes,” Chase describes. “It’s sort of like looking at myself years down the road.” 

Major Kevin Mitchell (AB ’05) joined the Mentor Program thinking that if today’s students were anything like he was, a little extra guidance would be helpful as they navigate college and the job market. When Major Mitchell was a first-generation rural student, there were many times that he had a network of people to help him navigate his career path. In the spirit of a true Bulldog, Major Mitchell decided then to pay it forward to the next generation by serving as a UGA mentor.  

The mentor-mentee pair mainly meets through Zoom calls and emails given Major Mitchell’s station in Hawaii, but they were able to meet face-to-face when Major Mitchell returned to Athens as one of the UGA Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 honorees in 2023. The duo met up for coffee and a walk around campus. From Candler Hall, where Major Mitchell studied as a student, to Sanford Stadium, where Chase remembered his experience watching the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship his freshman year, the pair discussed their respective memories at UGA. Despite being decades apart in age and experience, the two had similar college experiences.  

Cadet Martel and Major Mitchell used virtual meetings to overcome time and distance.

A benefit for both 

Chase is not the only one who benefited from participation in the mentor program; Major Mitchell did, too.  

“Not only does it allow you to provide advice to someone who is passionate about what you do, but it also allows you the space to reflect on the aspects of your job that really fulfill you,” Major Mitchell says.  

That reflection is invaluable to professionals who may not initially think they have anything to offer the next generation. “It’s inspiring for me to see someone Chase’s age be so excited and thoughtful about the future,” Major Mitchell describes. “It’s a comforting thought to have Chase as an example of how the next generation will navigate the world.” 

“It’s almost like recharging your batteries,” he continues. “It’s energizing to know that what you do matters to people and that the future is in good hands because of it.” 

It should come as no surprise then that the two encourage both potential mentors and mentees to try the program for themselves. Even if a potential mentee has a less-than-clear idea of their dream job, the Mentor Program can help mentees receive a practical perspective that may be difficult to access in a classroom. As for potential mentors, it can provide an inspiring and energizing opportunity for reflection.  

“I couldn’t ask for a better college or post-grad experience than the one I’ve had with UGA,” Major Mitchell says. “Not just with a successful football team and all the joy that entails, but participating in this program and meeting Chase has been a really meaningful way to stay engaged with the university.” 

Whether it’s being a part of Bulldog Nation, or being a part of a greater collective in the armed forces, Major Mitchell and Chase’s experience in UGA’s Mentor Program highlights the importance of connecting with fellow Bulldogs who share your passions and values.

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Happy 239th birthday, UGA!

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How do you celebrate 239 successful years as the country’s first public institution of higher education? With a 239th birthday party, of course!  

More than 1,150 students celebrated the University of Georgia’s 239th birthday in style during this year’s Founders Day event held in the Tate Student Center on January 26. The event, which was organized by the Student Alumni Council with generous support from the Office of the President, brought together 11 of the university’s 18 schools and colleges to celebrate UGA’s academic excellence and the incredible campus we call home. 

Student attendees received a “passport” for the event and earned stamps for completing activities organized by those schools and colleges in attendance. Those who filled their passport received a special Founders Day memento.

Attendees also had the opportunity to take home other UGA swag, write thank you notes to UGA faculty and staff, take photos with Hairy Dawg, and enjoy UGA-themed birthday treats.

View photos from the event — and see if you spot yourself!

Three Alumnae and a Dawg

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This story was written by Rosalyn Dunn.

When Molly Dunn (BS ’23) signed up for UGA’s Mentor Program, she figured it would be a good way to find out more about careers in her major and a get a head start on making professional contacts.

Looking through the lists of potential mentors, she felt drawn to Tonya Freeman (AB ’86). And it became clear from the first phone call that the choice was a good one.

“I have mentored for over 30 years—all age groups from elementary school to college to peers and friends and family,” Tonya said. She started as a mentor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, partnering with Tilson Elementary School—which she attended—and went on to develop formal and informal programs for CDC employees. It only seemed natural to get involved with the UGA Mentor Program, where she has mentored multiple young women at UGA who are studying Statistics.

“These young ladies are breaking the glass ceiling in the field and have made their impact known,” she said. “It is the best feeling of giving back.”

For many UGA Mentorship pairs, the program lasts about 4 months. Tonya, however, told Molly that if she wanted to continue working together, they could.

And they did, meeting faithfully over Zoom calls once a month, even on vacation. They scheduled in-person meetings when possible, including an afternoon in Athens when Tonya brought her daughter, Tai, for a tour of UGA. Tonya also helped Molly make connections with the CDC’s surveillance unit for a summer internship.

“There is so much that’s uncertain, so many directions to go and a little fear about what’s coming after school,” Molly said. “Seeing someone as vibrant and confident as Tonya in a competitive field—especially as a woman in STEM—who went through the same program I did and is now leading a happy and successful life was inspiring and encouraging.”

That success is exactly what both the UGA Mentor Program and Tonya seek to achieve.

“In mentoring, I aim to celebrate, connect, educate, and support my mentees,” Tonya said. “It is so rewarding to see others excel.”

Molly’s senior year at UGA paralleled Tonya’s daughter Tai’s senior year of high school and brought about an ironic twist to the mentoring relationship.

“I finally got the chance to do something in return,” said Molly’s mother, Rosalyn Dunn (ABJ ’92), first by giving Tai some writing advice on her application essays, and later, after the fireworks email erupted in Tai’s inbox and announced her acceptance, by helping Tonya navigate tuition payments and sources for campus information.

“I also checked in to see how she was holding up, because it wasn’t that long ago that I knew the feeling of missing a daughter at home and worrying about how she was doing at school,” Rosalyn said.

The mentoring relationship also expanded to the younger generation, with Molly advising Tai on housing choices, dorm essentials and campus navigation tips.

In June, “three alumnae and a Dawg” met at The Battery in Atlanta to share a meal and celebrate Tai’s UGA acceptance and Molly’s graduation. A couple of months later, Tonya and Rosalyn met for a Braves game at Truist Park, where they texted their girls and reveled in an unexpected benefit to the UGA Mentor Program.

“It’s been an amazing relationship turned friendship,” Tonya said. “We are looking forward to more great times.”

SIGN UP TO BE A MENTOR

University of Georgia reveals 2024 Bulldog 100 businesses

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The UGA Alumni Association has released the 2024 Bulldog 100, a list of the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UGA graduates.  

This year, businesses are headquartered in a total of 7 states, with 89 of the businesses located in the state of Georgia. In total, 139 alumni representing over a dozen industries, including health care, financial services, agriculture and real estate are being recognized as a part of this year’s list.  

This year’s fastest-growing businesses, in alphabetical order, include:  

  • A Signature Welcome, Raleigh, NC 
  • Abound Wealth Management, LLC, Franklin, TN 
  • Agora Vintage, Athens, GA 
  • Alexander & Alexander Attorneys at Law, Barnwell, SC 
  • Altera Investments, Atlanta, GA 
  • Art of Floors, Cartersville, GA 
  • ASW Distillery, Atlanta, GA 
  • Atkinson Ferguson, LLC, Monroe, GA 
  • Ben Stout Construction, Fayetteville, NC 
  • BIOLYTE, Marietta, GA 
  • Biren Patel Engineering, Macon, GA 
  • Bitcoin Depot, Atlanta, GA 
  • Bitstream, Dawsonville, GA 
  • BlueBear Solutions, Inc., Atlanta, GA 
  • Builders Specialty Contractors, Boynton Beach, FL 
  • Capital Real Estate Group, Atlanta, GA 
  • Castleberry Veterinary Hospital, Cumming, GA 
  • Chad Weesner Insurance Agency, Vienna, GA 
  • Clark Drug Company, Waynesboro, GA 
  • Classic City Consulting, Snellville, GA 
  • Codesmith Development, Hurricane, UT 
  • Complexion, Nashville, TN 
  • Comprehensive Behavior Change, LLC, Duluth, GA 
  • Consume Media, Norcross, GA 
  • Corps Team, Marietta, GA 
  • Culinary Solution Centers, LLC, Zebulon, GA 
  • Dental Claim Support, Savannah, GA 
  • Detritus, LLC, Savannah, GA 
  • Dovetail Civil Design, Inc., Watkinsville, GA 
  • Eagle Christian Tours, Rome, GA 
  • Ellsworth Cleaning & Facility Services, Atlanta, GA 
  • enewton design, Atlanta, GA 
  • Erica Davis Lowcountry, Savannah, GA 
  • Express Vets, Jasper, GA  
  • FI Navigator Corporation, Atlanta, GA 
  • Freight Control, Inc., St. Simons Island, GA 
  • From Sir With Love, Marietta, GA 
  • Gibson, Johnson & Company Inc., Atlanta, GA 
  • Glass & Robson, LLC, Atlanta, GA 
  • Good Dog Veterinary Care, Marietta, GA 
  • Greater Athens Properties, Athens, GA 
  • Healthcare IT Leaders, Alpharetta, GA 
  • i9 Sports of North & Central Gwinnett County, Suwanee, GA 
  • Imperial Fence Supply, East Point, GA 
  • Ryan Brown Law, LLC, Newnan, GA
  • Jetset World Travel, Atlanta, GA 
  • Johnson & Alday, LLC, Marietta, GA 
  • KBH Industrial, Smyrna, GA 
  • Kempt, Athens, GA 
  • Kevin Patrick Law, Atlanta, GA 
  • King’s Hometown Pharmacy, Blairsville, GA 
  • KRG Fuel + Energy, Roswell, GA 
  • Lake City Chiropractic, Acworth, GA  
  • Lake Pine Animal Hospital, Apex, NC 
  • Lighting Pros, Jefferson, GA 
  • Macallan Real Estate, LLC, Marietta, GA 
  • Manly Shipley, LLP, Savannah, GA 
  • Marketwake, Atlanta, GA  
  • Mark Spain Real Estate, Alpharetta, GA 
  • Marlow Landscape Services, Cumming, GA 
  • Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, LLC, North Charleston, SC 
  • Moore Civil Consulting, Inc., Perry, GA 
  • Morris Hardwood Distribution, Savannah, GA 
  • Neighborly Software, Atlanta, GA 
  • North Forsyth Animal Hospital, Cumming, GA 
  • Parker Executive Search, Atlanta, GA 
  • Pathwise CPA Group, Watkinsville, GA 
  • Pig Apple, Brooklyn, NY 
  • Pittman & Greer Engineering, Watkinsville, GA 
  • Powell Dentistry Group – The Georgia Smile Group, St. Simons Island, GA 
  • Prime Time Pediatrics, Watkinsville, GA 
  • Puppy Haven, Sandy Springs, GA 
  • Roam, Roswell, GA 
  • Roberts Civil Engineering, LLC, St. Simons Island, GA 
  • Ryals Brothers, LLC, Lula, GA 
  • Samet, Greensboro, NC 
  • Sapelo Skin Care, Savannah, GA 
  • Savannah Drywall Supply, Inc., Pooler, GA 
  • Scott Construction, LLC, Macon, GA 
  • Share the Magic Foundation, Atlanta, GA 
  • Shore Coaching Services, Athens, GA 
  • Siegel Construction & Design, LLC, Atlanta, GA 
  • SimplyTRUE Automotive Group, Norcross, GA 
  • Society 54, LLC, Charlotte, NC 
  • Southern Luxury Homes, Greensboro, GA 
  • Southern Reins Logistics, LLC, Alpharetta, GA 
  • Spark A Revolution, Roswell, GA 
  • SPG Planners + Engineers, Watkinsville, GA 
  • Stable Kernel, Atlanta, GA 
  • SynerGrx, Chamblee, GA
  • Telecom Innovations, LLC, Athens, GA 
  • teXga Farms, Clarkesville, GA 
  • The Baer Law Firm, Atlanta, GA 
  • The Grant Partners, Alpharetta, GA 
  • The Live Oak Agency, St. Simons Island, GA 
  • The Taco Stache, Pooler, GA 
  • Three Tree Coffee Roasters, Statesboro, GA 
  • Tier4 Group, Alpharetta, GA 
  • Whitemire Animal Hospital, Dawsonville, GA 
  • Yonder Yoga, Atlanta, GA 

Each year, Bulldog 100 applicants are measured by their business’ compounded annual growth rate during a three-year period. The Atlanta office of Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors, a Bulldog 100 partner since the program began in 2009, verified the information submitted by each company.

“We are proud to recognize our incredible alumni who are leaders and innovators in their industries,” said Lee Zell, president of the UGA Alumni Association. “These individuals embody the best of what UGA stands for and represent the value of a degree from our university. We’re excited to celebrate them and the work they are doing to build better communities.”

The university will host the annual Bulldog 100 Celebration in Athens Feb. 9, 2024, to celebrate these alumni business leaders and count down the ranked list to reveal the No. 1 fastest-growing business.

To view the alumni business leaders for each company and learn more about this program, see alumni.uga.edu/b100.

Celebrating a legacy of giving

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This year’s Heritage Society Tailgate (on November 4 prior to the UGA vs. Missouri game) was a tremendous success. It is always a great time when our members gather for food, drink and game day fun. Check out the photo gallery from this year’s festivities. As always, it’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog! 

Want to attend next year and celebrate your commitment to UGA? All it takes is becoming a member of the Heritage Society. Learn how you can help ensure UGA’s future, make a positive impact, cement your legacy and maybe even enjoy tax benefits. It’s easier than you might think! Contact the Office of Gift and Estate Planning for more information about joining the Heritage Society. As you can see from the photos, they’re a fun bunch. 

CONTACT UGA PLANNED GIVING

Nervous about the UGA Mentor Program? Just go for it!

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Micayla Moffit ’24 and Cathy Fish (BSA ’93, DVM ’96) have a lot in common. They both love going to UGA football games. They’re both current or aspiring veterinarians. And they were both a little nervous about getting started in the UGA Mentor Program. 

Cathy was concerned that she may not have knowledge that would fit her mentee’s needs. Before meeting Cathy, Micayla was uneasy about how she would relate to a mentor older than her. 

“I don’t know how to talk to anyone like an adult!” Micayla joked. 

About the Program

The UGA Mentor Program is a digital platform which allows students to form mentoring relationships with UGA faculty, staff, and alumni, regardless of geographic location, who can help make their future a little clearer. Mentees also have the option to schedule 15-to-30-minute one-time conversations with mentors, called Quick Chats. 

Students and mentors create online profiles with their backgrounds, career interests and mentorship goals. The system offers potential matches or students can search for a mentor on their own before making plans to meet virtually or in person, depending on their schedule. Formal mentorships last for 16 weeks, and students can start one at any time through the program website. 

A Perfect Fit

Cathy’s mentoring relationship with Micayla was a perfect fit. The two hit it off from the start of their first lunch meeting, despite Micayla’s nerves. 

“Meeting someone for the first time, I always get butterflies in my stomach,” Micayla said. “What are we going to talk about?” 

Micayla was reassured by the numerous resources available on the Mentor Program website to help prepare her for their initial conversation. Because she knew why she had sought out a mentor and what she was hoping to learn, it was easy for her to focus their conversation on helpful topics. 

“The conversation just flowed really well,” Micayla said. “I was really comfortable.” 

Micayla joined the program because a student organization she was in had encouraged her to apply and find a mentor. Cathy had heard about the program through her service on the UGA Alumni Association Board of Directors and thought it might be a good opportunity to give back to students. 

Building a Meaningful Relationship

Over the course of their mentor relationship, Micayla and Cathy have gotten to know one another not just professionally, but personally. They talk about their personal lives and know one another outside of their career goals. 

“We can go to lunch and not talk about anything related to vet school or my major,” Micayla said. “We talk about football all the time.” 

Micayla, a member of the Redcoat Band, is a huge UGA football fan. When Cathy came back to Athens for a football game last fall, Micayla even arranged for the two to meet so Cathy could see her in her uniform. 

Micayla was pleasantly surprised by how she was able to build such a meaningful relationship with her mentor. If you’re nervous about reaching out, too, she has one piece of advice: “Just go for it. You’ll never know what that relationship could lead to if you don’t actually just go for it.”

SIGN UP TO BE A MENTOR