Journey to the PhD with Trace Camacho: Mentors

Written By: Trace Camacho
Michigan State University

At the end of my last post, I mentioned the importance of finding mentors. Having a mentor isn’t just a necessity when applying to PhD programs, but a necessity as a student affair professional. I am lucky that I have a number of mentors that both challenge and support me in different ways. I will share with you how I came to find two of my current mentors Monica Miranda Smalls and Dr. Susana Munoz.

When I started as a graduate student working in fraternity and sorority life I knew next to nothing beyond my own organization. I just jumped in head first learning as much as I could. Luckily I had an amazing supervisor who taught me much, but I wanted a professional mentor in the field from beyond Iowa State. When searching for a mentor I had no idea where to start. That all changed when I was given the opportunity to attend the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors annual meeting in Cincinnati. I had heard about Monica Miranda Smalls before the meeting but I was shy and therefore apprehensive to talk to her (truth be told I was a little intimidated). Luckily, I had found some time during the meeting to have some brief one on one conversation with Monica that allowed us to break the ice. After the meeting I knew I wanted to ask Monica to be my mentor. I bit the bullet and sent her an email. To this day I am still taken back from the overwhelming response I got from her and how eager she was to serve as my professional mentor. Our mentor/mentee relationship has been great, we make time to catch up at every professional conference we are at together as well as email throughout the year.

Sometimes though mentors come into your life and you don’t realize they are mentors until later on. When I first met Dr. Susana Munoz it was over dinner at a local Thai restaurant in Ames. I was a member of a fraternity who has a close historical relationship with her sorority and we had several mutual friends and acquaintances. At the time I did think “hey here is a great mentor” I just wanted to be friends with her. Once I started thinking more long term about my student affairs career after I started my first professional position I knew I wanted to get my PhD. When I was racking my brain, thinking about people I could talk to about PhD programs Dr. Munoz immediately came to mind. Now when we see each other we don’t have just purely social conversations we always make some time just to talk about my goals in student affairs and my PhD aspirations.

Both these women have been amazing mentors. What makes them amazing is that they tell me what I need to hear not what I want to here. That’s not saying they aren’t amazing sources of encouragement which they are; but they also ask me questions that cause me to critically reflect. They also push me to do things I would have never considered before; they are the perfect example of challenge and support. As you are considering whom you want as your mentor, makes sure to choose individuals who will both challenge and support you. If you are having trouble finding a mentor look at your colleagues and friends you have within the profession, I am sure there are some great mentors just waiting for you to ask.