Southern Mentorship Program - Meet the Mentors
Meet the Mentors
These Southern employees have volunteered to mentor students. Each mentor has a brief
personal bio with information about their background, interests and strengths to assist
you in selecting an appropriate mentor.
When filling out the student mentee application, please identify three potential employee
mentors who you would like to be paired with. Ultimately, the Life Calling and Career
Services office will pair mentors with mentees while giving your preferences the most
consideration.
Ellen Hostetler
Current Position: Vice President of Advancement
Educational Background: Bachelor of arts in advanced writing and a master’s of science in entrepreneurship from the University of Florida
Hobbies: Hiking, reading, adventure motorcycles and skiing
Skills and Strengths: Leadership, organization, healthcare and fundraising
Harvey Alférez Salinas (“Dr. Harvey Alférez”)
Current Position: Professor and Director of the Center for Innovation and Research in Computing (CIRC), School of Computing
Educational Background: PhD in Computer Science, Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain); MSc in Information and Communication Technology, Assumption University (Thailand); and BSc in Computer Science, Universidad EAFIT (Colombia). Postdoc at the Geoscience Research Institute in collaboration with Loma Linda University
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and children, running (I just finished my second marathon!), and playing the piano
Skills and Strengths: Futuristic, strategic, learner, achiever, deliberative
Paulo Raposo Dias Grilo (“Dr. Dias”)
Current Position: Associate Professor of Biology
Educational Background: NOVA Medical School in Lisbon, Portugal
Hobbies: Spending time with family (wife, four children, two grandchildren), hiking, mountain biking and Bible study
Skills and Strengths: Communication, multicultural life experiences, love of young people
Brent Hamstra ("Dr. Hamstra")
Current Position: Professor and Chair of the Chemistry Department
Educational Background: A bachelor’s of science in chemistry from Andrews University, a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Michigan, and served as a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Notre Dame
Hobbies: Time with family (married to a former forensic scientist and father of a 13-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter), reading and watching sports
Skills and Strengths: According to CliftonStrengths, my strengths are analytical, learner, intellection, context, and input. I focus heavily on trying to develop sound thinking skills in myself and others.
Sean Walters ("Dr. Sean Walters")
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Engineering
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University
Hobbies: Outdoor activities occupy most of my hobby-time: birdwatching, hiking, camping, gardening. I also have interests in music and technology.
Skills and Strengths: Engineering, programming, numerical methods, applied math and research
Kim Sturm ("Kim")
Current Position: Assistant Job Coordinator for Plant Services
Educational Background: College, criminal justice
Hobbies: Hanging out with friends, bikes and motorcycles, puzzles, cryptograms, mowing, reading, and football on TV. I absolutely love to travel, cook and bake. Bonfires and a good view are musts in the winter. Swimming, boating and jet-skiing in the summer.
Skills and Strengths: Owner of small business and several rental properties. Not a stranger to work. Like to help people out. I enjoy talking to people who are interested in starting a business or need to make a buck.
Chris Hansen ("Dr. Hansen")
Current Position: Executive Director, Institutional Research and Planning
Educational Background: Bachelor’s of science in physics and mathematics, doctorate degree in physics, and post baccalaureate in data analytics
Hobbies: Enjoy most anything outdoors, if possible with my two college/post-college aged children. On weekends, I like to hike to waterfalls with my wife, repair things, or read. I enjoy traveling and learning the historical context of places.
Skills and Strengths: I have spent a lot of time thinking about ideas with others and am comfortable getting perspectives of people – even when I may not initially agree with them. I like puzzles and problems of all kinds, and enjoy seeing a creative solution to a hard problem.
Wanda Barber (“Ms. Wanda”)
Current Position: Office Manager, English, History and Political Studies
Educational Background: B.S. Marketing, Wilberforce University; Master of Business Administration, University of Phoenix; and Dale Carnegie course
Hobbies: Married to Stephen Barber for 26 years. Two children: one freshman at Georgia-Cumberland Academy and one sophomore at Southern Adventist University. I love to read and watch sports, especially the Detroit Lions. I worked over 15 years for General Motors Corporation. I was born and raised in Flint, Mich.
Skills and Strengths: My ability to connect to individuals and listen to them discuss their thoughts.
Michelle Adams (“Mrs. Adams”)
Current Position: Professor in the School of Education
Educational Background: Received my Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from Southern. Working on my doctorate degree in reading and literacy.
Hobbies: Boating, jet skiing, married, kids are 14 and 11, spending time with friends
Skills and Strengths: Pays attention to detail, compassionate, patient and teaching
Jeremy Francisco (“Jeremy”)
Current Position: Accounts Manager at WSMC
Educational Background: Bachelor in Music Education and graduate studies in music
Hobbies: Exploring the world around us through photography. Making music with friends.
Skills and Strengths: Business owner/entrepreneur, troubleshooting high-pressure situations