Continuing Mentorship for Excellence

Dr. Steve Lentz, Dr. Pam Geyer, and Ms. Linda Varvel take personal responsibility for student affairs. They meet regularly with students, individually, or in large and small groups to build relationships and monitor student morale. They review student records, including class performance, research productivity and achievement of training milestones and progress towards career goals. This team meets weekly to discuss the issues of concern in the MSTP at the moment. Any student needing additional support from the MSTP or another entity is discussed and appropriate interventions discussed.  Linda Varvel, as Administrative Director, plays a critical role. All students know she is always available for consultation for any reason.

Two most important decisions a student must make:

The Directors’ shared philosophy is that the two most important decisions in MSTP training are: 1) the selection of a thesis laboratory and 2) the selection of a clinical specialty. Both Directors take an active, personal role in advising our students through these transitions. Pam Geyer takes the lead in advising all incoming MSTP students on research rotation and thesis mentor selection. Steve Lentz takes the lead in advising trainees in selection of clinical specialty and choice of residency training.

Individual Student Mentorshop:

Mentorship is individual. Continuing Mentorship for Excellence is embedded in an institutional culture of collaboration. Both Pam Geyer & Steve Lentz have strong relationships throughout the university, allowing them to intervene and support trainees at all levels. The Directors do not hesitate to communicate with MSTP faculty mentors, graduate program directors, the leadership in the OSAC office, OSAC counselors, the Associate Dean for Diversity, and the Deans of the CCOM and Graduate College on behalf on an individual trainee. This works! Our students are happy, productive, and complete training in a timely manner.