All roads lead through Franklin

The UGA Mentor program will host a virtual panel on October 25 featuring College of Pharmacy alumnus Kevin Hatcher. UGA Mentor Program Ambassador Caroline Batson details his mentoring experience below.

Hatcher's academic journey – like those of so many UGA students and alumni – ran through arts and sciences. Market Health & Wellness Director for Walmart based in East Tennessee and current mentor for the UGA Mentorship Program, Hatcher (PHARMD, '11) was inspired to become a UGA Mentor because of how critical mentorship is to Walmart' culture. From pharmacy interns to managers, he learned how to mentor young adults, then utilized the UGA Mentorship Program to "broaden that outreach to include undergraduate students that have a much more open career path." 

During his connections, Hatcher said that his most significant takeaway from being a mentor was how talent identification can occur even in freshman year. He said his mentee was "punctual, communicative, appreciative, and incredibly bright" and that it gave him "great pride to see such amazing people graduating from UGA and excelling."

Through their mentorship, Hatcher's mentee was able to explore career options and prepare for job interviews while building a personal, professional relationship. Hatcher encouraged both mentors and mentees to join the program, as he stated there are impactful benefits on both sides.

"No one got where they are without mentorship. We have to take every opportunity to give back and guide others. Mentorship costs nothing, and is an incredible way to support our future alumni," Hatcher said.

During his two years of undergraduate coursework before entering pharmacy school, Hatcher was a microbiology student and advisee of our Office of Academic Student Services. His experience reflects the diversity of Franklin College and the broad range of professional possibilities that attract so many of the nation's best to UGA. All roads lead through Franklin.

Image: Kevin Hatcher