Past Mentors of the Month
Laurie Wilson
Mentor of the Month, January 2020
“It is exciting to meet and extend a welcome to a new face on campus. This is a great opportunity to share information about our campus community and help a mentee adjust to their new environment. I have made some lasting friendships through the program and appreciate the opportunity to meet new employees.”
Mentor since 2014
Gary Wells
Mentor of the Month, November 2019
"Always a pleasure to meet and learn about a new employee’s background. It is also
great to be able to provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere anytime they want to
talk. Very happy to be a member."
Mentor since 2017
Christina Bowles
Mentor of the Month October 2019
"As an active member of the Missouri State community and a graduate of the USA program, I was so excited to continue my service through Bear Connection. I know I would have benefited from a program like this when I was a new staff member almost nine years ago. One of the greatest benefits of this program has been the ability to connect with staff across campus. These connections enrich my life, and help me better serve my students."
Mentor since 2015
Dennis Perry
Mentor of the Month September 2019
"It truly is a privilege to get to meet so many new hires and "help" them become acquainted with this great organization we call MSU!"
Mentor since 2016
Mary Ann Wood
Mentor of the Month August 2019
"Being a Bear Connection Mentor has been a very rewarding experience! I have met so many fascinating people from all parts of the campus, many of whom I would not have met were it not for this program. It is fun seeing the campus through a new employee’s eyes. It helps me remember why I am proud to be a Bear!”
Mentor since 2015
Ryan Reed
Mentor of the month July 2019
“Helping new Bears find their place here at MSU brings me great joy, Go Bears!”
Mentor since 2017
Debbie Ewert
Mentor of the month June 2017
"Being a mentor has provided me with the opportunity to get to know new Bears and to develop friendships that extend beyond the work place."
Mentor since August 2014
"I find Missouri State University an excellent place to be employed and I enjoy sharing that information with my mentees and answering any questions that they may have concerning their place within the MSU organization and the many benefits they will enjoy as employees of Missouri State University."
Mentor since 2014
USA Cohort of 2008
"It has been such a wonderful experience being a mentor. I’ve met many wonderful people who have taught me as much or more than I have taught them. I’ve also developed several close friendships with my mentees which has been amazing. The BEAR Connection Mentor program is just another inspiring way to add to my MSU family"
Mentor since April 2014
USA Cohort of 2014
"I always enjoy meeting a new Bear, because I have the privilege of explaining the many reasons why it’s so great to work at Missouri State."
Mentor since April 2014
USA Cohort of 2009
“It’s been a true pleasure to serve as a Bear Connection mentor. It’s wonderful to see the enthusiasm new employees have for the University. It’s easy to take for granted what a great work environment we have, but the enthusiasm of a new perspective is quite contagious!”
Mentor since April 2014
USA Cohort of 2006
"The best part of being a mentor is the opportunity to help a new employee feel welcome, and to help that person realize what a great decision they made by choosing to work at Missouri State!"
Mentor since April 2014
USA Cohort of 2012
"Time is precious in each of our jobs but I would encourage all USA alumni to join Bear Connections. I have hosted eight beautiful women since they have joined the MSU family. Each of these women have brought something new and joyous to my work experience. The benefits of knowing people in other areas on campus, the collaborations between who you are paired with can become a great benefit to not only you but also your department. This group webs us together to create that strong bond of family support and team effort. It is definitely time well spent with a free lunch, cup of coffee and a new friend; how can you resist!"
Mentor since April 2014
USA Cohort of 2014
"I get immense satisfaction from getting to know our new Bears, and helping them to learn about all the great things our University community has to offer."
Mentor since April 2014
USA Cohort of 2012
"Being a Bear Connection Mentor has allowed me the opportunity to meet and welcome some wonderful new employees to the University. These are special people I might never have met otherwise. I love sharing information about MSU and why it is such a great place to work. I want them to know they have made a wise decision to become a Bear!"
Mentor since April 2014
USA Cohort of 2013
“I know how important it was for me, when first starting at Missouri State, to have someone on campus I could call on that understood how the University worked. The University is a big place and it was great to have a peer there to fall back on. With the Bear Connection Program, I’m thrilled to be able to be that someone for new members of the campus community and know that every new colleague coming through Carrington has an opportunity to succeed at this institution we love.”
Mentor since July 2014
USA Cohort of 2014
"Being a mentor has been a wonderful experience. I truly enjoy meeting new staff members and helping them understand and love campus as much as I do. I think this program as invaluable for transforming new employees into Bears."
Mentor since July 2014
USA Cohort of 2005
“I think the mentor program is a win-win opportunity. As a staff member I always gain so much from my mentee. In return I hope to give them helpful information about our campus community.”
Mentor since June 2014
USA Cohort of 2006
“Being an ambassador for the university gives me great pleasure in welcoming new employees. I hope it eases the way for them in assimilating to our campus. I’ve been at the university for almost 24 years, and have seen it’s incredible and positive growth. It’s a great place to work.”
Mentor since August 2014
USA Cohort of 2010
“I enjoy the opportunity to meet new people coming in to the University. It is a chance to share how much I enjoy working here and also to help someone new get their feet on the ground in a new working environment.”
Mentor since August 2014
USA Cohort of 2010
“I really enjoy the chance to welcome that new employee, and to be an early part of their developing connection with campus. It is very rewarding to be able to share my enthusiasm about working here, and to see them excited about their future as a Bear. I know I have had as much benefit from the program as new employees have, because of the people I have had the opportunity to meet and the ongoing relationships that have come out of it.”
Mentor since June 2014
USA Cohort of 2010
“Seeing the excitement that our new employees have during their first day on campus is amazing. It is quite humbling knowing that we, as mentors, get to be a part of such a wonderful experience.”
Mentor since January 2015
USA Cohort of 2012
“I think it’s wonderful that a new employee in the program can know there’s someone here for them FROM THE FIRST DAY, confirming that this is a GREAT place to work and that they’ve made a good decision to come to MSU because of the people they’ll cross paths with every single day.”
Mentor since June 2014
USA Cohort of 2004
“Since BEAR Connection was implemented, I have had the opportunity to serve as a mentor to four new employees. My experience with the mentoring program has been nothing but positive. Having worked at the University for more than 20 years, it’s fun to meet new employees on their first day who are excited to be a part of a place that I have loved for a long time. Whether they are new to the higher education culture, a recent MSU grad or returning after a hiatus — it’s extremely rewarding to be a part of such a great program that welcomes new MSU family members and helps to make them feel at ease.”
Mentor since April 2014
USA Cohort of 2005
“What I most enjoy through the Bear Connection program is meeting new people and knowing that I can play a role in helping their experience at MSU be positive. I also have been pleasantly surprised at how these relationships have turned into having a very helpful connection for networking between the two departments we represent.”
Mentor since April 2014
USA Cohort of 2010
“I’ve been continuously surprised since becoming a University Staff Ambassador, the amount of camaraderie and connectedness that the program offers was not what I had anticipated. Becoming part of the Bear Connection, allows us to offer some of what we experienced through USA to new staff members. I’m glad to be a part of that”
Mentor since February 2015
USA Cohort of 2011
“Mentoring new employees is a way for me to connect with the University and the community. I get the chance to meet new people as well as be the person that these new employees can turn to with questions and concerns. This rewarding experience has given me the opportunity to not only give back but also learn from the newest members of the MSU family.”
Mentor since April 2014
USA Cohort of 2005
“It is my great pleasure to be a welcoming and supportive connection for new Missouri State University Staff.”
Mentor since May 2014
USA Cohort of 2010
“It’s a huge privilege to be a mentor for the University and I love the instant bond that occurs when you meet your mentee for the first time.”
Mentor since April 2014