Portraits of Mentorship: Mandy Shoemaker & Alesha Hamilton on Giving Life a Shot

With only one semester of her undergraduate education to go before heading to law school, Alesha has been lucky to find not only role models, but also important friendships among advisors and other students. Mandy, her University of Cincinnati Honors Program advisor, finds inspiration among Alesha and other students who push themselves outside of their comfort zones. The two have grown together over the past few years and helped each other in ways they wouldn’t have imagined, expanding the typical roles of the mentor-mentee relationship.

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Portraits of Mentorship: Dr. Jane Sojka & Hannah Fereshtehkhou on Confidence in Selling Yourself

After a long Tuesday proctoring a final marketing exam for the semester, Dr. Sojka and Hannah met with me in Dr. Sojka’s office. Their motto is that “everybody sells something,” especially themselves and it is important to build the confidence to do so. Despite the quiet halls of the Lindner College of Business at the University of Cincinnati, they remained lively in their conversations – although that could have been the sugar from the cookies Dr. Sojka offered us.

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Portraits of Mentorship: Dr. Karen Bankston & Sara Burke on Nurses' Impact

In the week leading up to Thanksgiving, Dr. Karen Bankston and Sara Burke of the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing squeezed me into their busy schedules. The enthusiasm they carried about their impressive careers and hope for the future was felt throughout the room. “It’s not your mother’s nursing school,” Dr. Bankston says as she reflects on the differences of nursing education through the years. While some aspects have stayed the same, both of these women find their passion in driving change beyond hospital walls.

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Portraits of Mentorship

Many of us are lucky enough to name 10 to 15 role models that have shaped who we are today. Our educational years mold us greatly in our future professions. Those in the beginning stages of their careers need attention and interest from those around to help them in shaping their goals and reaching their full potential. Through this series, I was able to focus on students pursuing different goals, personally and professionally, to discover what makes the role of mentorship in their lives so special.

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Chrissy Antenucci: For the Love of Pasta

When we arrived at The Wheel, Chrissy Antenucci was spreading graham cracker batter into a sheet pan. You’re likely to find her cooking any time you stop by her carryout spot in Oakley, which is also the hub for private dinners a few times a month. The pop-up dinners offer 20 people the chance to enjoy five made-from-scratch courses, with a mix of seasonal vegetables, handmade pasta and bread, and dessert. After stints at some of the country’s finest restaurants, Antenucci has returned to her hometown of Cincinnati, where she’s creating a new kind of culinary path.

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Wendy Rice on Fiona Fame and Zoo Impact

“Where is she?!” a small child shouts while pushing her face against the exhibit glass at the Cincinnati Zoo’s Hippo Cove. It’s a sunny September afternoon, and crowds of people are anxiously waiting for a glimpse of Fiona. Everyone’s cameras and smartphones are at the ready, hoping to glimpse one of the hippo family members in the water. Eventually, Fiona and her mom, Bibi, appear. The fans are elated. Fiona’s caretaker and Africa zookeeper, Wendy Rice, lets us watch as she feeds Fiona and Bibi lettuce. The mother-daughter duo emerges from the water together, first poking their ears out, then their nostrils, and eventually opening their gigantic mouths. Everyone seems starstruck. Wendy is equally excited to talk about her own role in Fiona’s story.

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