Department of Adult and Elderly Nursing College of Nursing
Department of Political Science College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Leslie Anderson Leslie Anderson uses a series of metaphors to describe her mentoring process. The “tool box” introduces students to the many methods political scientists use to collect data. “Finding the edge of the world” allows students to find the end of knowledge in their field so they can define a dissertation project that allows them to chart a course toward a new area of study. A research topic, she says, should be an “oversized jacket,” allowing them room to grow. The metaphor, “launching from Cape Canaveral,” asks students to view their dissertation not as an end to an academic journey but a point from which to launch a robust career, by asking a major scholarly question that can not only result in a Ph.D. but take them all the way to tenure. Finally, she uses the “learner’s permit” metaphor. Students learn to drive with an adult at their side, but eventually, ”… one must drive — and do scholarly research — alone.” As graduate coordinator for her department, Anderson has ample opportunity to use the metaphors. Ido Oren, chair of the department of political science, describes Anderson as a “pillar” of the department’s Ph.D. program, chairing 25 doctoral committees, with six current Ph.D. candidates. Jonathan Jones, a 2009 doctoral graduate, says he encountered setbacks during his field work in India and sent Anderson a troubled email. “Her email back was completely enthusiastic! She thought it absolutely important that I was having these challenges …” Jones says. “She bestowed confidence in me.”
40 Spring 2014
Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Ph.D. Mentors
Ann Horgas Ann Horgas says she has gained as much from mentoring her students in the College of Nursing as they have gained from her. Students and colleagues say that graciousness is typical. Former student Lois Ellis, now the director of nursing programs at Santa Fe College, said she encountered an assortment of challenges when she returned to school after 25 years. As a part-time student employed full-time, Ellis said Horgas was so sensitive to helping her juggle that they even met at Starbucks on occasion. “I often sent her long emails full of questions and concerns, and she always responded patiently and with thoughtful and helpful answers,” Ellis said. Horgas went to great lengths to help her, especially considering that Horgas experienced a death in the family as Ellis was due for her qualifying exam. To help her stay on track, Ellis said, Horgas arranged a temporary committee member and a new chair. “I was amazed that, under the circumstances, she would so calmly and carefully ensure that my needs as a student were considered,” Ellis said. Mentee Mindy S. Grall also drew on Horgas’s strength as a mentor. “… through her model behavior, I learned the true meaning of resilience, leadership, honor, and responsibility.” “A mentor also leaves a mark on the mentee that time cannot erase,” Grall says. Department of Adult and Elderly Nursing Chair Joyce Stechmiller said it is a testament to her teaching that two former Horgas mentees have been hired as assistant professors in the department.
Susan Jacobson Susan Jacobson’s first Ph.D. student jumped at the chance to nominate her for an advising and mentoring award. Fifteen years after receiving her Ph.D. from UF, Mallory McDuff, who teaches environmental education at Warren Wilson College, describes herself as an academic, an environmentalist, a writer, a mother and Jacobson’s first Ph.D. student. Even though the job market was tight when she graduated, she got three job offers — a credit, she says, to Jacobson’s mentoring. “Since my graduation, Susan and I have co-authored numerous articles, book chapters and even a book together. But in my mind, I will always be her student,” McDuff says. “… even when I don’t call her, I know she has my back.” Today, in her writing, she says she is “making connections between what matters to people and the natural communities around them. And Susan Jacobson taught me to view the world through that lens.” Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department Chair Eric C. Hallgren says a sign of her broad influence is that her nominating letters include one from a current student, one from a recent graduate and one from a graduate of 15 years ago. R. Elaine Turner, dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, notes that Jacobson has raised $1 million in grants to support 11 international students and 40 graduate research projects across 15 UF departments. She has served on 33 Ph.D. committees, chairing 15. She has twice been the CALS Graduate Teacher/Adviser of the Year and is a member of the UF Academy of Distinguished Teaching Scholars.