Scholars Mentorship Program
MSU alumni, Scholars mentors, and students at the Scholarship Luncheon during Homecoming Weekend in 2024. Photo courtesy of Taylor Nondorf.
The Social Science Scholars Program offers many academic and career opportunities for its students. One important component is the Scholars Mentorship Program, which pairs students with alumni, business and community leaders, faculty and other leaders in their field who can impart practical advice and support the students in their academic and professional pursuits. Numerous research studies show that an effective mentoring program can deliver emotional benefits, role modeling, and academic support. Student mentees feel more confident in their academic journey by having a support mechanism in place to assist them in defining and realizing their goals. Their mentors also stand to benefit by developing managerial skills as well as mutually beneficial relationships with students in their early career phase.
We’ve seen many productive and enjoyable partnerships forged over the years. Our community mentors have provided valuable connections to professionals in multiple different fields, they’ve offered a much-needed listening ear, they’ve taken students to sporting events, they’ve helped students practice for interviews and salary negotiations, they’ve assisted Scholars in refining their ‘soft skills’, and they’ve been instrumental in some of our students finding job opportunities and embarking on their current careers. Covid-19 largely put paid to the community mentorship program for about two years, but we’re enormously grateful to Risa Borr, an MSU alumna and accomplished HR professional, for helping us re-envision the Scholars Mentorship Program.
To give you a sense of the caliber of our community mentors, here’s a list of those who are currently providing advice and support.
Our current mentors
Charles Dobis with his mentee, Sumaiya Imad, at a performance of Poulenc’s Gloria at the Wharton Center in December 2024.
Charles Dobis
BA Social Sciences, 1971
Charles is the retired director of Lansing Ophthalmology and spent a highly successful career in the biomedical sciences. Now he spends his time with family and recreationally fishing in the Upper Peninsula. Charles has been a longtime supporter of the Scholars Program and has mentored several students over the years.
Risa Borr
BA Psychology, 1988
Risa is an HR consultant and works in talent acquisition currently. Previously, she has worked for large organizations such as Hershey and Aptiv. She generously offered to help the Scholars program review the mentorship program and update it to better suit the needs of students and mentors. Without her, we would not have the mentorship program we do today.
John Van Eden
BA James Madison College, 1991
John has held senior positions at national water and energy companies. He is currently the Vice President in Human Resources at Marmon Rail.
Karen Schrock
BA Psychology, 1973
Karen has worked for the Michigan Department of Public Health for a large part of her career and retired as President and CEO of Adult Well-Being Services working for the provision of better care for those with disabilities and mental health concerns. Karen has been a staunch, long-term supporter of the Scholars Program, mentoring many students from Detroit and providing her expertise and support over the years in program planning. Karen also holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University.
Patrick Grobbel
BA Criminal Justice, 1986
Patrick is a Managing Director in the Forensic & Litigation and Consulting segment at FTI Consulting in Washington, DC, who brings over twenty years of expertise in legal, engagement management, and business development experience with financial advisory and professional services firms. He is an industry expert in anti-corruption and investigating complex cases in this field.
A photograph of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Larry Lee (alumnus and community mentor), and Dakota Henderson (Social Science Scholar and mentee) at the Governor's Neighbor Holiday Party in 2024.
Larry Lee
BA Journalism, 1970
Larry dedicated his career to Gongwer News Service, an agency dedicated to responsible journalism for government employees and public policy practitioners to read in Michigan. For his thoughtful and innovative work in journalism, Larry was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2024. Throughout his career, he has been known for his mentorship of other reporters and continues his legacy by offering his vast knowledge and experience to Social Science Scholar mentees.
Mary Tavarozzi
BA Urban Affairs, 1979
Mary is the Founder and Principal of MLT Advisors LLC. Mary has worked with a variety of Fortune 500 companies throughout the US and Canada in the design and implementation of comprehensive workforce health and productivity programs. Mary serves on the Social Science Scholars Advisory Board. She has funded and established an endowed scholarship for students working in unpaid internships. Mary has also performed valuable philanthropic work for the LGBTQ community for many years.
Barbara Gerson
BA Psychology, 1984
Barbara started a private consulting firm called "Success by Design" that specialized in team building and sales training while out in L.A. She has also enjoyed a successful sales and marketing career, regularly receiving top sales honors throughout her years with the Construction Division of Owens Corning Fiberglas Corporation and Master Builders Technologies. Barbara and her husband Mark have been integral to the creation and flourishing of the Social Science Scholars Program and the Gerson Family Mental Health Initiative. In fact, Barbara and Mark’s willingness to invest in this unique program has now given over 200 students the support and resources to thrive and go onto meaningful careers.
Judi Corr
BA Anthropology, 1989
Judi retired as an Associate Professor in Anthropology at Grand Valley State University. She studied biological anthropology at Ohio State University, where she obtained her MA and PhD. Judi is also engaged with the Town and Gown series that is a collaboration among MSU’s AgeALive, the Social Science Scholars, Great Decisions, and Prime Time Senior Center, to provide Greater Lansing area seniors with opportunities for social connection, intellectual enrichment, and engagement in meaningful activities.
Al Vanderberg
Master’s Public Administration, 1986
Al Vanderberg serves as County Administrator/Controller of Kent County, MI since August 2021. He has held several government positions in civil rights, child welfare, municipal services, and equity and inclusion education. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Grand Valley State University teaching courses on local government management.
Mike Morrow
BA Social Sciences, 1972
Mike has owned a large Michigan rubber molder company and been a business development executive for many years. He has been a supporter since the inception of the Scholars program providing support in planning and program activities over the years. He has also mentored many students who have gone on to successful careers due to his care and support.
Nell Kuhnmuench
BA General Business Administration, 1971
Nell Kuhnmuench, now retired, was the Director/Owner at Governmental Consultant Services, Inc. a multi-client contract firm, Kuhnmuench lobbies for an array of issues such as environmental, insurance, health care, legal, corporate and financial. She was the first female chief of staff in the Michigan House of Representatives and the first woman principal in a major Michigan multiclient lobbying firm. She also is a founding member of Michigan's White House Project, a nonprofit organization that encourages young women to run for elected office.
Brenda Becker
BA Public Administration, 1981
Ms. Becker is Senior Vice President, Global Government Affairs for Boston Scientific. She is responsible for managing the company’s global government affairs team, as well as corporate public policy. Prior to this role, she served in the Bush Administration for 6 years.
Stacy Sollenberger
BA Social Sciences, 1991
Stacy is an Executive Coach and founder of Stride Executive Coaching, LLC where she is a catalyst for individuals and corporations taking decisive, transformative steps on their leadership journeys. She is passionate about education, lifelong learning, and continual personal development.
Joellen Snow
BA Political Science, 1975
Joellen is a 5th generation Texan attorney. She received her law degree from the University of Texas in 1978 and her Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs in 1979. She has been in private practice in Houston since 1979, practicing in probate, guardianship and estate planning areas since the late 1980’s. She has also served as an Associate Municipal Court Judge for the City of Houston since 1982.
Jennifer Shimp
BS Family and Consumer Resources, 1984
Jennifer is a strong advocate for the College of Social Science and the Women’s Leadership Institute. She is an experienced program officer with a history of working in financial services. She has served as Financial Education Program Manager at Great Lakes Credit Union, Foundation Program Officer at NAPFA Consumer Education Foundation and Financial Planner, Financial Services Representative, Investment Advisor Representative at MetLife, just to name a few.
We are very, very grateful to all of you and look forward to more alumni undertaking this richly satisfying role.
How to engage
If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, please contact the alumni liaison, Jonathan Yarbrough (yarbro38@msu.edu). If you’re interested in becoming a mentee, please contact the program coordinator, Samyuktha Iyer (iyersamy@msu.edu).