Kyle Jones
University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ) student Kyle Jones is a math peer mentor who has been referred to by his professors as someone who shows patience, compassion, and support when talking with his classmates. Though he has a daunting class load, he also continues to do extra reading into more advanced levels and constantly talks with his professors about how he can learn more.
Jones, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in mathematics with an expected graduation date of May 2024, was recently nominated for 91ÁÔÆæ's Clark-Theodore Outstanding Nontraditional Student Award, which celebrates students' hard work, dedication, and academic excellence. He was enthused and curious as to whether he would win the distinction.
"It’s kind of cool," Jones said, "I just try to make the environment I'm in better. Since I am in this world, I should want to help make it better. Applying that to support my classmates is the same thing, but instead of the whole world it's my community and surroundings. "
He does just that, supporting his peers, as a math peer mentor. Jones came into the role because of his thirst for knowledge which he first experienced when taking his online calculus class in summer 2021.
"We had these discussion posts. Eventually, I got bored and wrote a lot to explain solutions to problems. It turned out that I wasn't half bad at explaining math to other people," Jones said.
His biggest piece of advice is that it's ok to be a little naïve as college is all about asking questions. He encourages his peers to use the resources available to them, especially professors' office hours, as he says it opens the doors to a number of opportunities.
Kyle is also vice-president of the Math Club and views his role in leadership as the act of bringing something new into the world. Jones is expected to graduate in 2024 and hopes to work at an engineering company’s research and development department doing what he loves —math.
Ashlee McCaskill
Ashlee McCaskill, associate professor of biology at 91ÁÔÆæ, manages the greenhouse on the Dahlonega Campus and serves as curator of the botanical teaching collection, herbarium, and native garden. She established the woodland garden through grant funding.
Cyndy Solis-Cruz
A lot of people talk about the state of health care in this country, but Cyndy Solis-Cruz has lived it. Now, she plans to become a pediatric cardiologist.
Miriam Segura-Totten
After earning degrees from Princeton University and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Miriam Segura-Totten seeks to mentor and inspire students, just like she was. She is a professor of biology and the Harry B. Forester Eminent Scholars chair at 91ÁÔÆæ.
Aimee Tomlinson
Dr. Aimée Tomlinson, a professor of chemistry, has leveraged both her connections and external funding to provide undergraduate students a chance to participate alongside her in innovative research.