Who Are Your People?

What do you need?

Consider what needs you may have before you identify who can best support you. What you need may be around getting connected to the Wake Forest community socially. Or, maybe you’re grappling with decisions around choosing a major/minor or career path. Whatever your needs are, what’s important is that they are yours and that you take the time to identify them.

Take a minute and write down 2-3 needs that you have.

Ask yourself:

Who do you need to talk to?

Now that you’ve identified what you need, download this worksheet to begin identifying who you can talk to about what you need. Also, this gives you an opportunity to determine any gaps in your network of people. Use the chart below for examples.

Finding friends and community
help finding balance
Managing academic course load
understanding who I am and my identity
Making major and career path decisions
Figuring out what I believe and value

BE INTENTIONAL

  • Reflect on your needs (step one) and the types of people/offices you need to talk to (step two)
  • Think about who you already know in those places
  • Make a list and identify where your gaps are

SEEK OUT AND SHOW UP

  • Ask for time with those you already know
  • Make an appointment, go to office hours, look for ways to engage with the offices/people who could fill your gaps
  • Keep your commitments: show up, on time, prepared to discuss your needs

BE SPECIFIC ABOUT YOUR NEEDS

  • Be prepared to share your needs (step one) and why they are important to you
  • Be prepared to share what you have already done to work on your needs
  • Be prepared to share why you think that person or office could help you

ASK QUESTIONS + SOLICIT FEEDBACK

  • Ask for feedback on the steps you are taking and what you can do next
  • Ask for guidance on other people or places where you can build relationships
  • Ask for time for a future conversation to continue to build the relationship
Wake Forest people tell us about their people
Helen Morgan ('19): “Heidi Robinson has been the greatest mentor I could have asked for at Wake Forest. She has become my role model, confidante, and Wake Forest mom. I will always be thankful for her kindness, willingness to listen, and the wonderful laughs we have shared together. I somehow went from feeling like I was going through a difficult season alone, to becoming confident that the 'universe would conspire for good,' a quote that she has shared with me on multiple occasions. She has made me a more confident, stronger, individual and has inspired me to find a career where I can find meaning in the same way she has. I hope to one day work in career development and have the same impact on students that she has had on me. It’s been so helpful to have her as a mentor.”
Maggie Cancelosi
Ainsley Rickard ('19): “As I finish Senior year and look back on my time at Wake I am so thankful for Dr. Rowie. She has been my biggest cheerleader and encourager on campus. She has invested in me, taught me, and given me the chance to discover my strengths and passions. I am so grateful to Dr. Rowie for investing in me during my time at Wake.”
Kyle Adams ('21): "As a professor, Dr. Andrea Ellis taught me a great deal about the power of listening, especially about how it can translate to asking better questions and creating deeper conversations. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Ellis was also incredibly supportive when I dealt with the loss of a friend during that semester. She, along with her colleague Dr. Phillips, proved to me that faculty/staff can also serve as friends and parental figures. This level of care didn't waver as my relationship with Dr. Ellis became more administrative. My ability to listen, ask questions, and articulate my thoughts has drastically improved because of my relationship with her. I'm utterly grateful to have Dr. Ellis in my life; my Wake Forest experience would be much less enjoyable and transformative without her."
Coleman Greene ('20): “Dr. Michael Lamb has had a tremendous impact on my development as a student and an individual during my time here at Wake. Ever since taking his "How to Keep a Republic" class sophomore year, I have been encouraged by the ways that he has noticed, challenged, and supported me. His desire to help students integrate their academic and personal lives is unique and admirable. One thing that I have learned from Dr. Lamb is the power of affirming people for their gifts. He has also helped me cultivate the skill of applying insights from art and philosophy into my personal life.”
Jayson Pugh (18): "Christian Burris not only offered me fraternal assistance, but also made sure to get to know me outside of Alpha. He attended all of my theatre productions and even supported me at commencement. Black male representation in higher education is very scarce, and Christian was able to demonstrate what effective mentoring should look like for Black men at a PWI. He has given me career advice, academic advice, and has always been willing to listen. Today, I can truly call him a brother, friend, and mentor. Christian had an extremely valuable impact on my undergrad experience and I am so grateful for all of the wisdom that he has provided me."

Special thanks to Zack Chan (’18, MSA ’19) for contributing photographs to this project. He started photography in high school, eventually developing his passion for portraiture. He has photographed various events around the University and has been featured in Wake Forest Magazine, Wake Will Lead Campaign, and the University’s Tumblr. Zack hopes he can use photography as a lens to share stories and bring people closer together. Zack will be working as a Audit Associate at KPMG in New York starting in the fall of 2019. 

Zack Chan head shot photo