Mentor Awards (2010-2011)

Yoo Mi Thompson

Yoo Mi lives up to the impression of being a passionate young woman who is smart, hardworking, energetic, professional, and is committed to the success of the students within our class. –Mark Flynn, Instructor

Yoo Mi Thompson is a graduating senior who is finishing her degree in Finance with a minor in International Studies. After graduation she will be moving to Manhattan to work as a business analyst for Accenture. Yoo Mi has served as an FYE mentor for the past two years co-instructing an INTD 1800 course and an INTD 1810 course for the Leadership Learning Community. Yoo Mi has immersed herself in various parts of the campus including the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program, serving as a Writing Associate in the Writing Center, and participating in an Alternative Break trip to New Orleans. Yoo Mi was also selected as one of fourteen Leadership Legacy Students which is a program that honors undergraduate students who exemplify outstanding academic commitment, personal character and integrity, and contributions to the community. All of these experiences have contributed to her success as an FYE mentor. Yoo Mi’s students from her class in 2009 wrote that “Yoo Mi was very approachable and inspired confidence in all of us and made the classroom a worry-free zone.” Yoo Mi is a model student who has taken hold of all the opportunities UConn has to offer and has passed this knowledge and experience on to her FYE students.

Emily Ragaglia

Emily devoted her time in class to help all of her mentees and even took time out of class to assist us in any way she could. – Esther, Student from FYE course

Emily Ragaglia is an eighth semester student majoring in Pathobiology with a minor in Molecular Cell Biology. When Emily first came to UConn, she was academically focused and spent a majority of her time studying to achieve high grades. However, little by little Emily broadened her experiences through getting involved with the UConn Red Cross Society and serving with Community Outreach at Windham Hospital. After Emily took the leap and became a First Year Experience mentor for the Pathobiology Learning Community class, her eyes were opened tremendously. She became aware that she could have such an impact on students. Emily shared her own experiences to put students at ease about their own academic journey. Emily also provided information about volunteer experiences, research opportunities, and career options which motivated her students to plan for the future. Emily is proud to say that she keeps in contact with most of her students and still informally serves as a mentor to most of them. Emily’s organization and leadership skills, her genuine concern for students, and drive all played a pivotal role in her success as a mentor.