Chapter 10: Prologue: A Tribute to Dr. Kochan, the Model Mentor

I am humbled and honored to have been asked by Linda Searby and Ellen H. Reames to represent the many people that have been mentored by Fran Kochan. Her influence over the years has led to many successful and prominent educators and administrators in higher education, K–12, and industry. I am grateful to share my personal experiences with this giant of a scholar and administrator. I will focus my commentary on the years as a graduate student and an emerging higher education scholar and professor.

Dr. Kochan embodies and models the greatest characteristics associated with being a mentor, coach, and sponsor to her students and colleagues. One of the amazing things about Dr. Kochan is that she is not just your mentor during your matriculation as one of her advisees and mentees. She invests her time, advice, and counsel after graduation and throughout your career in your chosen occupation. Although I completed my doctoral program in 2011, she still mentors me. After I gained tenure, I asked her to provide coaching on the next phase of my career in preparation for promotion to full professor. She graciously spent four days working on my post-tenure research agenda, and she co-authored several research projects with me.