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

Kelly Asao

Kelly Asao


Associate Professor

Kara Barnette

Kara Barnette


Associate Professor

Eileen Chanza Torres

Eileen Chanza Torres


Associate Professor

Christy Clay, Ph.D

Christy Clay, Ph.D


Professor

John Contreras, Ph.D

John Contreras, Ph.D


Professor

Chris Davids

Chris Davids


Associate Professor

Trisha Jensen

Trisha Jensen


Director, Career Center

Christopher LeCluyse

Christopher LeCluyse


Professor

Kari Lindsey

Kari Lindsey


Director of Student Diversity & Inclusion

Julian Mendez

Julian Mendez


Associate Professor

Valentina Rojas Gutierrez

Valentina Rojas Gutierrez


Senior Associate Director of Admissions

Traci Siriprathane

Traci Siriprathane


Assistant Dean of Students, Student Wellbeing & Support

Hal Snarr, Ph.D

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.

Tamara Stevenson, Ed.D.


Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and C.D.O

Julie Tille

Julie Tille


Director, Center for Civic Engagement and Experiential Learn

AJ Verkouw

AJ Verkouw


Assistant Professor

Tiana White

Tiana White


Hpw - Adjunct

Kim Zarkin, Ph.D

Kim Zarkin, Ph.D


Professor