Mentoring that Matters: Stories and Strategies from S-STEM PIs and Scholars

Dr. Rettig has been teaching at Denison University, a small liberal arts college in Ohio, since the fall of 2000. Currently she is a full professor in the Biology Department and Director of the Global Health Program and she teaches introductory and advanced courses in Biology and in Global Health. Dr. Rettig’s graduate training centered on ecology and evolutionary biology and she earned her Ph.D. from Michigan State University, completing much of her research at MSU’s Kellogg Biological Station. As Director of Denison’s S-STEM Program (NSF Award #2030762) Dr. Rettig collaborates with science faculty and campus offices to implement a suite of four mentoring pathways for students in the sciences: academic mentoring, peer-mentoring, research mentoring, and career mentoring. Each semester Denison’s S-STEM Scholars engage in events and activities in each of these mentoring pathways, with activities tailored to the Scholar’s collegiate progression. For example, junior, sophomore, and first year Scholars engage in different career-mentoring activities or experience different research mentoring opportunities.

Carlia Lopez is a third year undergraduate student at Denison University pursing a double major in Environmental Studies and Biology, with a minor in Spanish. She has hopes of attending graduate school and pursuing a career in entomological research.

Dr. Christin Monroe is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Landmark College, one of the only institutions in the U.S. designed exclusively for neurodivergent students. As the
Principal Investigator of the NSF-funded AIE-STEMPLOS program, Dr. Monroe supports neurodivergent students from low-income households in computer science and biology through mentoring, professional development, and scholarship opportunities. With over six years of experience working with historically underrepresented students in STEM, she is dedicated to fostering inclusive learning environments and helping students build strong academic and professional identities. Dr. Monroe is also an active member of the American Chemical Society, serving as a national member of the Chemists with Disabilities Committee.

Anastasio Bonhomme is a student and peer tutor at Landmark College. His area of focus centers is zoology, centering on physiology and animal behavior. He is also working remotely for Cornell University and Thomas Jefferson University as a visiting researcher.