FIND A MENTOR
CASConnects is an initiative of the College of Arts & Sciences’ (CAS) Diversity Committee to support a sense of belonging and mentorship for graduate students from diverse backgrounds, broadly defined. CASConnects aims to connect graduate students to staff and faculty across campus to expand networks and mentorship opportunities. Students can use these connections to complement their current mentorship in areas that may not be represented in their current mentors, talk with folks outside of their department, or connect about other issues of professional development. Mentorship could be one well-timed conversation, a few meetings, or even a semesterly check-in. Feel free to connect with more than one mentor across campus.
To arrange a meeting with a mentor, use the email address provided in the mentor’s profile.
If you have any questions, contact: Anna Marie Rogers at [email protected]
Interested in becoming a mentor? Sign Up!
CasConnects Mentors
Joyce Clapp
Senior Lecturer, Liberal and Interdisciplinary Studies; Provost Fellow for Faculty Development
Joyce (she or they) is happy to connect with queer students, older graduate students, online students, or simply any student who needs a little support and a listening ear.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Xhenet Aliu
Assistant Professor, English and Creative Writing
Xhenet is particularly interested in connecting with first-generation students, first-generation Americans, and/or students from low-income backgrounds, particularly those pursuing creative fields.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Verónica Grossi
Associate Professor, Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
My area of expertise are the literatures and arts of Latin America, in poetry and the visual arts in Mexico, and their transatlantic exchanges. I am also an active participant in issues related to democracy and the need for the connection of the university to society, to reinforce the values of justice and opportunities for all members.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Ting Wang
Assistant Professor, Sociology & Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Ting would be happy to connect with international students whose first language is not English and/or foreign to Western culture. Ting is a first-gen student herself, so she also loves to share experiences with students who identify as first generation. She became a mother of two when she was a graduate student, so she would also like to talk about school-family conflicts and strategies to balance parenthood and study.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Thomas Weighill
Assistant Professor, Mathematics and Statistics
Thomas would be happy to connect with international students who are having to navigate the U.S. immigration system while they study and who are also interested in options after graduation. Thomas also became a father while in graduate school, and so is happy to chat about the challenges of balancing school and family life.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Shannon Lovett
Grants Specialist, Office of Sponsored Programs
Shannon would be happy to connect with non-traditional students, first-generation students, single parents in academia, navigating graduate school. She can help with school and family time management, and making a degree plan that leads to success.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Selima Sultana
Professor, Geography, Environment, and Sustainability Studies
Selima Sultana will be happy to support students with any background who needs support to navigate college and graduate school life, especially for those students who are single parent. She will also be happy to help and provide support for the first generation immigrant and international students, specially to those students with South Asian background.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Sarah Maria Carrig
Lecturer, Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Sarah enjoys supporting students whose interests include Latinx culture and politics, service learning and community organizing, African American-Latinx relations, and other issues relating to communities of color. Sarah is a bicultural Latina with experience in language education and cross-cultural organizing.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Sarah Daynes
Professor, Sociology
Sarah would be happy to connect with international and first-generation immigrant students, including those who are navigating the US immigration system. Sarah also would be happy to provide support for those interested in graduate school, both in the US and internationally.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Risa Applegarth
Associate Professor, English & Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Risa is eager to connect with students who are marginalized within the university in any number of ways. Her experiences include navigating elite educational environments as a white, poor, first-generation student; she is affiliated with Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and eager to support LGBTQ students, students with disabilities, and students from minoritized racial or linguistic groups as they navigate their relationships with their advisors, their professional communities, and their career plans. As a specialist in writing studies, she also enjoys providing logistical support and advice to students who are struggling to make progress in their writing.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Paul Cloninger
Business Services Coordinator, English
Paul would be happy to talk to any older or non-traditional students about the challenges of returning to Academia. He can help discuss how to leverage work and life experiences outside the University to help serve these students in the classroom He would also love to speak to any students who might be interested in Medieval Studies.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Nor Othman-LeSaux
Office Manager, Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations (ELC) Department, School of Education
Originally from Malaysia, Nor graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a BSc. in Finance. She also sat through the MBA General Management program at the University of Exeter, United Kingdom. Nor was a former external auditor with Ernst & Young and a Senior Account Director in an advertising agency responsible for the multi-million dollar “Malaysia, Truly Asia” marketing campaigns in several countries in Asia. She became the Principal/School Administrator of the Greensboro Islamic Academy before joining Guilford County Schools’ Student Services office. Nor joined UNCG’s International Program Center in 2011 before moving to ELC department in January 2016.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Neelofer Qadir
Assistant Professor, English & International and Global Studies
Neelofer would be happy to connect with students of color, including students navigating the U.S. immigration system. Neelofer is active in organizing spaces (labor, BDS) within academia as well as outside (prison/detention abolition) and would discuss how to manage these commitments without burning out. Based on this, she’s a huge advocate of peer support networks (whether it’s for writing, professionalizing, or organizing) and could advise on how to set those up in addition to building meaningful relationships with senior colleagues.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Maya Chhetri
Professor, Mathematics and Statistics
Maya looks forward to connecting with international and non-traditional students, particularly in STEM.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Lyniesha Ward
Postdoctoral Researcher, Chemistry and Biochemistry
As a recent doctoral recipient, Lyniesha looks forward to connecting with all who are navigating the complexities of graduate school. She can share her experiences with newer and older students whether it is creating a system of time-management to balance classes, research, teaching and service, or writing a dissertation.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Lee Griffin
Research specialist/confocal microscope technician, Biology
Lee looks forward to connecting to students who have questions about navigating academia as women and/or BIPOC folx, especially for those in STEM fields but also people in any area of study. In addition, Lee has extensive experience in the workforce outside of academia and can help answer questions for those who are considering careers outside of academia. Lee is out and always happy to discuss being queer in the workplace. Lee is also a proud Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, and she is available to answer any questions about the transition from soldier to civilian.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Julia Mendez Smith
Professor, Psychology
Julie would like to connect with students interested in community engaged research, social justice and policy, especially those impacting children. She is happy to share her experiences as a working mother, Latinx faculty member, and how to find a supportive community of mentors
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Jill Bender
Director of Graduate Studies, History
Due to her academic interests and love for travel, Jill Bender has spent years exploring universities and archives scattered around the world. She welcomes the opportunity to meet with students as they navigate graduate school and find their feet in academia.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Jennifer Feather
Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, English & Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Jen would be happy to connect around issues of LGBTQ+ students in academia. She can also provide support for students from other groups. She can also share her experiences doing community-engaged work in the humanities and the connections between humanities work and broader publics.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Jasmine DeJesus
Assistant Professor, Psychology
Jasmine especially hopes to connect with Latinx and bicultural students, as well as first-generation students and women in academia. She is happy to share her experiences growing up in a bicultural home and navigating identity challenges.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Janet Boseovski
Professor, Psychology
Janet would enjoy connecting with first generation students and students from immigrant families to provide support and to talk about challenges that they may face (e.g., imposter syndrome, navigating conflicting cultural messages, feelings of isolation). She is also interested in discussions about navigating academia as a woman/female-identified.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Faye Stewart
Associate Professor of Germanic Studies, Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Faye (she, her, hers) welcomes the opportunity to connect with LGBTQIA+ students, female-identified students, and first-generation students charting their academic, personal, and professional paths. She can also offer support with language learning and studying or living abroad.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Erin Harrison
Academic Professional, Communication Studies
Erin would love to connect to people of color, women, and current or former student athletes. As a woman of color, I can offer my experiences in academia and how to keep a healthy body and mind.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Derek Palacio
Assistant Professor, English
Derek would be happy to connect with students of color and/or student-parents who are navigating academia and/or developing a writing life. Derek would also be happy to connect with undergraduates considering graduate art programs.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Carrie Levesque
Lecturer, MAAS
Carrie would be happy to connect with first generation students
Connect with me!
[email protected]
April Harris
Lab/Greenhouse Manager, Department of Biology
April looks forward to connecting with students who have questions about navigating academia or working in environmental/outdoor fields. Most of her experience is in Biology but she would be happy to work with anyone in STEM fields. She is also here to connect with LGBTQ+ folx to offer general support and talk about the challenges they may face.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
Ana Hontanilla
Associate Professor, Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Ana left Spain to come to the US thirty years ago. She looks forward to connect with students interested in language learning, cultural studies, interpretation, translation. She would welcome the opportunity to support students interested in exploring creative writing in Spanish.
Connect with me!
[email protected]
105 Foust Building
P.O. Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402