Voices of Experience: Advice from University Fellows Alumni

The University Fellows Program at the University of Arizona offers a prestigious fellowship for top-ranked incoming graduate students. Fellows receive financial support, professional development, mentoring, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. This program attracts outstanding students, fosters interdisciplinary leadership, and encourages innovation and community engagement across the university and beyond. To explore how the program has impacted alumni careers, we interviewed five former fellows: Dr. Brooke Finley, Dr. Byron Hempel, and Dr. Jeffrey Gillan from the 2015-2016 cohort, and Dr. Amanda Wilson and Dr. Ashok Kaliyamurthy from the 2018-2019 cohort.

A Diverse Cohort of Accomplished Individuals

These five alumni, now pursuing diverse career paths, exemplify the wide-ranging influence of the UF Program.

Dr. Brooke Finley, with both a Ph.D. in Nursing Science and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the U of A, is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist and triple board-certified nurse practitioner (psychiatry, addiction, holistic health) in New York. Specializing in trauma and personality disorders, she publishes in peer-reviewed journals and is the 2024-2025 visiting scholar at University at Buffalo. She is also writing a book on psychoanalysis and nursing.

Dr. Byron Hempel, an Assistant Professor of Practice in Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Arizona, has taken on a demanding role leading the Engineering 102 course for all incoming engineering freshmen, in addition to advising student clubs and teaching first year undergraduate through graduate students.

Dr. Jeffrey Gillan, a Research Data Scientist and educator at the University of Arizona, applies his geospatial expertise at the Data Science Institute and CyVerse program. Dr. Gillan’s early interest in aerial imagery and remote sensing provided a strong foundation for his current work. 

Dr. Amanda Wilson, an Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of Arizona Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, focuses her research on microbial exposure and risk assessment, human behavior, and exposure modeling. 

Dr. Ashok Kaliyamurthy brings over 15 years of work experience to his role as an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Oregon State University, where he studies how people think about and use information technology.

The Transformative Power of the UF Experience

Navigating the Challenges of Graduate School

Each alum encountered challenges throughout their doctoral studies, and the University Fellows Program was pivotal in providing support. Drs. Finley and Hempel both faced the difficult decision of switching advisors. Dr. Finley, who wanted to shift her research direction, found the courage to make this change thanks to the support she received from the UF community. Dr. Hempel echoed this sentiment, stating, "It was the best decision I made in all of graduate school, thanks in part to the support of my UF friends". Dr. Wilson also shared a powerful experience of dealing with a mentor falling out, where the UF community provided invaluable external perspectives and helped her navigate the situation successfully. This community was also especially valuable to Dr. Gillan, who had relocated to Arizona for his doctoral studies. He highlighted how the program helped him settle in, providing a sense of welcome and connection. As an international student, Dr. Kaliyamurthy also found the UF community to be a "safe space" to acclimate to American culture.

Beyond these common challenges, the alumni faced other hurdles that the UF program helped them overcome. Dr. Finley, who supported herself financially throughout her undergraduate years, deeply appreciated the financial stability the fellowship provided, allowing her to fully engage with her academic pursuits. Dr. Wilson expressed a similar sentiment, stating that the funding freed her from the constant pressure of seeking financial support, enabling her to focus on her dissertation research. 

Fostering Interdisciplinary Growth

A consistent theme across all the interviews was the program's emphasis on interdisciplinary connections. Dr. Hempel reflected on how UF broadened his perspective beyond the confines of engineering. "I wouldn't have had as holistic an education without the UF program," he shared. "It helped me see how the humanities can inform engineering and research." He candidly admitted that without UF, he might have become siloed within his department, losing sight of the richness and interconnectedness of other fields.

 

This cross-pollination of ideas manifested in various ways. Dr. Wilson vividly recalled a project from her cohort where a dancer and a biologist collaborated to create a performance piece illustrating plant growth. She described her reaction to viewing this piece as being "completely blown away by the power of art to communicate something so technical". Dr. Finley, too, spoke about bridging the seemingly disparate fields of nursing and psychoanalysis, pushing the boundaries of her discipline and creating a unique niche for herself. Dr. Hempel, drawing upon his UF experience, now strives to incorporate broader perspectives into his engineering classes, challenging the traditional, calculation-driven approach. Similarly, Dr. Gillan leverages his UF experience in one of his current roles leading a data science fellowship, recognizing the value of exposing researchers from different backgrounds to computational thinking and data analysis.

Enduring Lessons and Advice for Graduate Students

Cultivating Motivation and Engagement

The alumni offered a wealth of insights into how they maintained motivation and engagement throughout their graduate journeys. Dr, Hempel observed that UFs tend to be inherently driven by curiosity, describing them as "types of students that are really motivated... very curious about almost anything". The program's activities, he added, provided a framework for channeling this curiosity and fostering a sense of shared purpose.

The importance of finding a research area that sparked genuine passion was emphasized by Dr. Finley, who advised, "make sure you are really in love with what you’re studying". Dr. Wilson, drawing upon her experience practicing martial arts in her youth, offered the analogy of an "empty teacup" to encourage a growth mindset. "Approach graduate school as an empty teacup waiting to be filled with new knowledge," she suggested, advocating for humility and a willingness to learn.

Finding Purpose and Value in Education

Reflecting on their academic experiences, the alumni shared thoughtful perspectives on the purpose of education and its relevance to their careers. Dr. Finley stressed the significance of aligning one's research with both intellect and emotion, advocating for a holistic approach that acknowledges the human element in scholarly pursuits. Dr. Kaliyamurthy, highlighting the importance of writing in academia, suggested that a PhD essentially prepares students for a writing-intensive career, regardless of their chosen field.

Dr. Hempel encouraged students to question their career paths and consider the trade-offs between financial success and a fulfilling lifestyle. He credited the UF program with helping him prioritize his values and make choices that aligned with his personal goals. Dr. Gillan reiterated the value of pursuing a field of study you are passionate about, as it becomes the foundation of your career search post-graduation. He also emphasized the need to evaluate whether a doctoral degree and the experiences that come with it align with your long-term career aspirations. While often there are transferable skills, if you feel there is not an alignment, an alternative program might better suit your professional goals.

 

A Call to Action and Reflection

These alumni, each with their unique journey, offer a resounding testament to the transformative power of the University Fellows Program. Their experiences highlight how the program cultivates resilience, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, and builds a supportive community that extends far beyond the confines of graduate school.

Their advice for current and prospective graduate students is both practical and profound:

• Dr. Wilson encourages students to embrace a growth mindset, recognizing that the journey of learning is ongoing. 
• Dr. Kaliyamurthy emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of one's education by making the time to understand the unwritten rules of your PhD program and advisors’ strengths and limitations so that you can communicate your needs clearly. 
• Dr. Hempel advises new students to seek authentic perspectives from current graduate students to make informed decisions about labs and advisors. 
• Dr. Gillan urges fellows to approach their graduate experience with intentionality, clarity, and a clear vision for their future goals. 
• Dr. Finley reminds students of the importance of self-care, balancing academic pursuits with personal time and nurturing a supportive network of friends and mentors.

The University Fellows Program, as these alumni eloquently attest, provides more than just financial support; it offers fertile soil for intellectual and personal growth, creating a network of connections and collaborations that enrich the academic experience and propel students toward fulfilling careers. Their journeys serve as an inspiration, demonstrating that the program's impact extends far beyond graduation, shaping lives and careers for years to come.

These inspiring alumni have shown that the University Fellows Program is more than just a scholarship—it’s a catalyst for transformation. Their journeys underscore the value of taking ownership of one’s education, seeking authentic mentorship, and building a resilient support network. We encourage all graduate students, whether part of the University Fellows Program or not, to apply these principles to their own paths. Embrace the growth mindset, pursue interdisciplinary connections, and prioritize self-care. By doing so, you too can cultivate a meaningful and impactful graduate experience that sets the stage for a fulfilling career.