The Ripple Effect of Mentoring

for everyone connected.

Life has come full-circle for Dr. Andrew Tzavaras, instructor of history at HPU. Serving now as a mentor to students pursuing historical quests, he reflects back on the mentoring he received from Dr. James Stitt, former Chair of the History Department, during his time as an undergraduate and graduate student at HPU.

“Dr. Stitt sat down with me one afternoon and encouraged me to pursue a master’s degree in history through HPU’s graduate school. Because of the enriched opportunities offered at HPU, such as the Rothenberg Seminar, I was empowered to meet experts and prominent leaders in the field. Those experiences ultimately led me to pursue my PhD at the University of Oxford.”

In August 2019, Dr. Tzavaras returned to HPU as a fulltime instructor in the History Department. He considers it an honor and privilege to be able to continue the mentoring tradition at his alma mater.

Senior Kenan Althoff is one of Dr. Tzavaras’s students. Althoff, a History and Philosophy major, worked closely with Dr.

Tzavaras to develop his senior seminar paper and apply to graduate schools.

“As a mentor, Dr. Tzavaras has shown considerable passion in helping me, as well as other students, work through our senior seminar theses, using his expertise and personal experience to make sense of the process and facilitate growth and learning. As someone who wishes to pursue further education in history, Dr. Tzavaras’s mentorship, advice, and expertise has been immensely beneficial to me, and has better prepared me for the road ahead.”

After graduating from HPU, Althoff is headed to the University of North Texas to pursue a master’s degree in 19th Century Prussian military history. He plans to continue his academic pursuits to earn a doctorate in military history.

Bonnie Showfety is another senior benefiting from history professors who care about her success. Drs. Joey Fink and Amanda Allen, both assistant professors of history, encouraged Showfety to join the History Club in her sophomore year. Now, she serves as President.

As president, Showfety worked to bolster the club into a thriving group of 15 - 20 members who gather for guest lectures, game nights, and mentoring. “It’s a safe place for students to come together,” she says, “not only to grow in historical awareness but to also talk about present issues that are happening in the world.”

Last summer, Showfety took her passion beyond HPU and completed an internship for the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC. There, she transcribed and digitized eleven oral histories of former Southern Railway workers, which can be found on the museum’s website.

After graduation, Showfety will pursue a master’s degree in Museum Studies at UNC Greensboro. Her goal is to become a museum curator for historic sites. She attributes her success to the support and guidance she received from her mentors in the History Department.