HDFS' Jes Cardenas selected for Teaching Mentorship Program

by Ashley Brister

We congratulate Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) doctoral student Jes Cardenas for her selection as a part of the 2018 SRCD Teaching Mentorship Program. The mentorship program was developed by the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) in cooperation with the Student & Early Career Council (SECC) to assist novice or early-career teachers in navigating faculty life through the development of a relationship with an experienced mentor from another institution.

The mentor will serve as a great resource to the mentee for teaching expertise and feedback in order to better guide interactions between students, faculty, and administrators. The pair will meet regularly during the program's duration and each set specific goals they hope to achieve in the process.

Jes is currently in her second year of the doctoral program and plans to begin her dissertation in fall of 2018. Jes has been paired with Associate Professor for the Division of Autism and Related Disorders Celine A. Saulnier, Ph.D. from Emory University School of Medicine.

Jes comments on the news of her selection to the prestigious program.

"It is a tremendous honor to be selected by the pinnacle research society in our field. Their commitment to research extends into the application and dissemination of information through teaching. I feel extremely humbled and excited to embark on this journey."

Jes says that her personal goals in the program are to remain open and reflective with an innovative approach to all her works.

"I have so much to learn, and I hope to integrate new ideas in my personal teaching style."

Over the course of the next year and a half, Jes will provide video observations of her own teaching as a graduate research assistant in HDFS to her mentor, from which she will receive Dr. Saulnier's expert feedback.

Through her selection and experience in the SRCD Teaching Mentorship Program, Jes hopes that other students in the College of Human Sciences seek out similar opportunities.

"My hope is more students in Human Sciences will apply for mentorship programs around the country. While there is always more to learn, Texas Tech students also have plenty to share with the world!"

Moving forward, Jes is excited at the opportunity to gain insight into incorporating applied research as a professor in higher education.

"Texas Tech has a remarkable tradition of teaching excellence, and I hope through this experience I'm able to hone my skills to one day become an active applied research professor. Ultimately, I hope to represent the College of Human Sciences in the best light as a proud alumna!"