Curious Cardinals Mentor

Vanessa T.

she/her • majoring in Biomedical Engineering • class of 2023

PRO TIP:

When evaluating whether a mentor would be a good match for your student keep in mind that the greatest leading indicator of success is how well a mentor and their mentee get along.

Questions to ask yourself:

Would the student find this person inspiring?
Do they share any interests, hobbies, or lived experiences?

EDUCATION

2018 - 2023 • Duke University • Durham, North Carolina

2014 - 2018 • Bentonville West High School • Centerton, Arkansas

I’ve been a Curious Cardinals mentor since July 2021. I am passionate about mentoring students in the areas of Computer Science & Coding, Graphic Design, Chemistry, Statistics, Calculus, Precalculus & Trigonometry, Algebra II, Algebra I, Geometry, Pre-Algebra, and K-6 Grade Math.

Vanessa T. (IN A NUTSHELL)

Ever since she was born at a young age, Vanessa was drawn to the field of engineering and obsessed with playing with Legos and breaking things to rebuild. Coming into college, she naturally gravitated towards engineering because of her love for building and designing things (and to get her parents off her butt about medical school). However, it wasn’t until one of her first year engineering professors told her that engineers have saved more lives than doctors, that she realized she was doing exactly what she was meant to be doing. Vanessa’s mission as a mentor is to support her students academically and socially in order to help them find the path they want to pursue.

Hailing from Bentonville, Arkansas (the headquarters of Walmart!), Vanessa is a recent graduate of Duke University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering (biomechanics focused, math minor, and certificate in Global Development Engineering) and a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering (certificates in Medical Technology Design and Innovation & Entrepreneurship). At Duke, she was an undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Design Fellow and graduate Design Health Fellow, working closely with physicians at Duke University Medical Center to discover pressing needs in healthcare and create solutions at the intersection of engineering and medicine. In addition, Vanessa served as a teaching assistant for several undergraduate and graduate engineering courses and has facilitated the learning of over 400 students throughout her time at Duke. She is deeply passionate about supporting STEM education and spent her free time mentoring local middle school girls interested in STEM and engaging with the Society of Women Engineers and Biomedical Engineering Society.

When she’s not wiring circuits, coding, or making CAD models, you can find Vanessa watching basketball, listening to music, reading, or eating.

Watch Vanessa T. break down a subject they’re passionate about.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Our mentorship sessions happen virtually over Zoom. It’s important to get a sense of how someone’s personality can come through on a video call. The best way to ensure your student is excited about learning is to have someone on the other side that they look forward to talking to.

Why did you choose your major?

Why does mentorship matter to you?

What advice would you give your middle or high school self?

Why does mentorship matter to you?

What advice would you give your middle or high school self?

Why did you choose your major?

TESTIMONIALS

Kalina Nikolova

We love working with CC! We have had 2 mentors already and now looking to add a third mentor - each focusing on various aspects of College applications prep. There are many wonderful things about the mentors - their skills and interests are matched to what we need, mentors are extremely knowledgeable and committed to the student's success, very organized, clear on goals and what was accomplished (notes from each session); and probably one of the most important aspects - they "speak the student's language" and truly built a connection with my daughter! Highly recommend and have been referring many friends and colleagues. Thank you CC!