At UA, you’ll always have someone in your corner.

Through real stories from students and their mentors, MentorZip highlights the support network that makes UA a place where every Zip thrives — whether it’s a professor igniting a passion for research or an upperclassman helping a first-year student find their path.

当我们展示有影响力的导师故事证明一件事时，请受到启发。 Here, success isn’t a solo journey — it's powered by mentorship, guidance and a community that truly cares.

21岁的特拉亚娜·博耶（Traiana Boyer）高中毕业后就开始工作多年，以成人学习者的身份重返学校。 当她在阿克伦大学（UA）入学时，她不确定自己适合在哪里，在教室里让人望而生畏。 但她的重点很明确：获得学位，然后成长。

“When returning to the classroom, I felt unsure about whether college was right for me or even what my goals might be,” Boyer recalled when she became a student in UA’s College of Business in her hometown of bet365官网.

With the support of dedicated mentors, she found her footing and excelled—first as a marketing student, then as a marketing associate, and now as an MBA candidate at NYU’s Stern School of Business.

“Mentorship profoundly shaped my academic journey and personal growth during my time at UA, particularly as an adult learner,” Boyer said. “It gave me the support I needed to successfully navigate the complexities of academic life, personal growth and career development.”

与欧文斯博士的偶遇

Boyer’s path to UA began with a serendipitous conversation. While working at a daycare, she met Deborah Owens, Ph.D., a professor and the chair of the Department of Marketing in UA’s College of Business, whose grandson attended the center. 一次关于为大学存钱的聊天引发了一段关系，这段关系将塑造她的未来。

“I was very impressed by how responsible she was and that she had the long-term perspective to save money for college,” said Owens, now retired “That's when we first started having conversations about her future.”

When Boyer joined the College of Business, Owens became her guide—mentoring her through leadership challenges, career decisions, and hands-on projects with local businesses.

“She did such a great job of motivating the other students,” Owens said. “I remember a case where a student was not feeling valued as a member on a project team and Traiana invited that student to join her team where he excelled.”

Owens remained a steady presence throughout Boyer’s undergraduate journey, even helping her weigh graduate school options that led to NYU Stern.

“Dr. Owens helped me discover my passion for marketing. She challenged me to be a leader and is such a strong example of the impact women can make,” Boyer said.

另一位导师介入

作为一名成年学生，她要同时做多份工作，还要承担繁重的课程负担，博耶经常质疑自己能否坚持下去。

During one especially tough summer—balancing a supply chain course with a full-time internship at Pfizer—she struggled after a difficult exam. 她的教授马赫什·斯里尼瓦桑博士注意到了这一点，并提供了帮助。

“What stood out to me was a hunger in her eyes to succeed and do well,” said Srinivasan, a professor of management. “For a mentee that is a boost, which makes us want to try and do more. Employers tell us that kind of coachability is such an important individual trait they look for in candidates.”

对博耶来说，接受指导是开始改变的全部。 博耶把他的建议牢记在心。

“Dr. Srinivasan genuinely listened to my academic and personal challenges, giving me the confidence to persevere,” she said. “One piece of advice from him that’s always stuck with me is to never count myself out. His belief in me became a mindset I carry with me both personally and in my MBA journey.”

师徒关系是UA的文化

Boyer graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Business Administration—proof that every late night and side job paid off. 她在亚利桑那大学的导师们仍然支持她，这种持久的联系反映了这所大学更大的文化。

“Mentorship tells us that someone is looking out for us,” said Srinivasan. “I make it clear that each student is an individual with their own unique aspirations, anxieties and backgrounds.”

欧文斯也是这么看的。

“I have students fill out note cards with their hobbies, interests and career goals so I can get to know them beyond the classroom,” she said. “I also share my own personal interests and untraditional path into higher education.”

一个mentee-turned-mentor

That kind of commitment helped Boyer grow into a leader—and now, a mentor herself.

她最近回到亚利桑那大学，为非洲裔美国人商业协会领导一个专业发展研讨会。 她还指导她的弟弟，现在是亚利桑那大学的学生。

“I’ve naturally stepped into a mentorship role for him, and it’s been a really meaningful experience,” Boyer said. “Moments like these remind me why mentorship is so important — I want to continue being a resource for others, just as I’ve benefited from mentorship in my own journey.”

Media contact: 汀的博伊德, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.