Staff Mentor Award🌟 Chancellor’s Annual Staff Recognition Ceremony

I’m incredibly honored to receive the Staff Mentor Award at the University of Pittsburgh. This moment gave me the chance to pause, reflect on my journey, and think deeply about what mentorship truly means. 💛

I still remember something my former supervisor said to me during a particularly challenging time: “To help you fly higher — I’m thankful I get to do this for you. It’s my privilege to be able to do this.” That one sentence has stayed with me for years. It reminds me that real mentorship isn’t about obligation — it’s about care, belief, and the choice to show up for others.

Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to have what I call “One Caring Persons” at different moments in life — people who believed in me, included me in their personal lives, encouraged me when I doubted myself, and patiently waited while I stepped out of my comfort zone. I may not be able to repay every act of kindness directly, but I carry their care with me — and pay it forward as One Caring Person, just as they did for me. This award is not just a recognition of the past, but a reminder to keep building a culture of belonging, mentorship, and empowerment — one that creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond what we can see. Be someone’s “One Caring Person.” You never know how far that ripple will reach.

📸 P.S. The second photo is a very excited version of me holding the award. 😄

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