National Mentoring Month

At Hardin-Simmons University, learning opportunities happen in more places than just the classroom. The university employs student workers across various departments and positions. These jobs vary from leading exercise classes in the fitness center to filing paperwork in the financial aid office to organizing campus-wide events and more. While these jobs differ in hours, office environment, and uniform, they all provide the same thing: a dedicated supervisor who mentors these student workers.

Since January is National Mentoring Month, let’s highlight some exceptional supervisors who speak life into their student workers and embody what it is to be a good mentor.

Jennifer Joye ’87

Jennifer Joye ’87 is the Technical Service Cataloging Supervisor in the Richardson Library. Have you ever wondered how books have barcodes that allow them to be checked out? Or why a book that was ripped one day is mended the next day? Jenn and her team of students work their magic behind the scenes to keep the library organized and user-friendly.

Jenn has been a supervisor to student workers for many years. When asked what it means to be a mentor, Jenn answered, “I am just a fellow traveler a few steps ahead of them on this road we call life.  If I can help them learn how to navigate a little better, then I have done my job.  The best way to do that is to show them that I care, to listen, and to wait.”

On what motivates her to succeed as a mentor, Jenn shared, “I really care about the students and want the best for them. I love that moment when the light goes on and they realize, ‘I can do this!’ The more they succeed in things that they thought difficult or impossible, the bigger their possibilities become.”

Emily Garner

Emily Garner is the campus’s Visual Media Coordinator. Emily and her team of students are responsible for capturing the beautiful photographs and videos of Hardin-Simmons. Understanding the best lighting, knowing how to fly a drone, scheduling countless photoshoots, and editing thousands of photos and videos are just a few of the things this group of people is responsible for.

It is a daunting task to be everywhere and capture everything, but with Emily as a supervisor, her student workers have learned the grace to manage and keep a detailed calendar. When asked what it means to be a mentor, Emily answered, “To be available to students on a regular basis, so that when they face hard days or really exciting times they feel comfortable coming to me to talk or celebrate. I take great joy in helping people, especially college students, through their days, weeks, and years of transformative life. Being able to speak into peoples’ lives in a way that can have a positive impact is something I enjoy.”

Emily shared seeing her students succeed is what motivates her. “Giving to others, whether it is your time, guidance, an encouraging word, or a breakfast burrito, is the best feeling. I value my time and when I give that to people, they hopefully feel seen and heard, while leaving with a sense of hope at the end of a workday. All in all, my hope is that any student who crosses my path or works with me feels that they are highly valued, not only by me but by God.”

Thank you, Jenn, Emily, and the many other supervisors on campus for taking pride in your role as mentors and caring deeply for the growth and success of your student employees. We can all agree with Emily when she said, “The greatest thing I enjoy about training and working with my student workers is to see them continue on after HSU, successfully in the professional world because of their time here.”

There are countless stories of the amazing mentor-mentee relationships found across campus. Do you have a story you wish to share? Let us know!