Moving Forward Together: Spartan Women Share Stories of Mentorship in Honor of Women’s History Month

Wow - there are a number of women who have influenced and supported me on my journey here at SJSU. Beginning at my arrival at SJSU, and continuing as a great source of support to me on this campus, has been Ms. Willie Simon. She took this brand-new professor and gave me direction regarding how to navigate my way around campus; and she continues to be a source of support and encouragement. Rarely do administrative staff and faculty get to socially interact, but whenever the opportunity arises for me to spend even a bit of time with Willie Simon, I always feel like I am informed, enriched and always supported.

In addition to Ms. Simon, there was the late Dr. Amy Strage - I still feel her loss. As she might have done for many folks on this campus, Amy introduced me to the process of navigating the professerate. I thought I knew what was what - the way a new Ph.D. might feel after finishing the rigour of a challenging academic program. But there was always so much more to know; and Amy was always glad to share.

Dr. Pam Stacks was a very important administrator. And within my first month or so of being on campus, Dr. Stacks asked if I had time for a cup of coffee. So we sat down and talked. What was so interesting to me was that she took time out of what was certainly a busy day to engage me in a brief conversation. Based on that initial experience, I just felt that Dr. Stacks always had my back, and she did. Dr. Stacks always provided me with wise counsel.

In addition to these women, there has been one of the sweetest and most honest persons I have had the great fortune to meet at SJSU - Deanna Peck. I don't know how to explain how Deanna has influenced me, except that she is warm, supportive and honest, providing me with straight feedback to my inquiries. We have in common our respective approaches to our concern for the students; that they benefit sufficiently from their time at SJSU, and that they get what they need acaemically, socially and ultimately professionally.

I am wrapping up my review of just a few of the women who have influenced me during my time here at SJSU, by including my sister, Dr. Monica Allen. She inspires, encourages and supports almost all those who happen to be so lucky to know her. She is a generous professor, she is an insightful reseacher, she is a calm leader in her department and in our college; and she is a great friend. I share my positive and challenging experiences with her to make sure they were as wonderful or as horrible as I thought they were. She is an inspiration; it seems that she works tirelessly, yet I know that is just her level of committment to the students, her research, her department, her colleagues, and with all of that her committment to her friends and family.