Philip Wilkerson, an employer engagement consultant for career services at George Mason University in Farifax, Virginia, received the Mentor of the Year Award from the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
“This award holds profound significance for me, not solely because it is a national accolade, but because it embodies the essence of mentorship,” Wilkerson told JBHE. “For me, being a mentor is not just a role; it is woven into the very fabric of my being. The opportunity to guide and uplift others fills me with purpose and joy, whether in my capacity as a career development professional or within the realm of higher education. Mentorship, to me, is not just a responsibility; it is a calling. It embodies the essence of the age-old adage, “reach one, teach one.”
Wilkerson has been on the staff at George Mason University for more than six years. Earlier, he was an admissions counselor at Virginia Commonwealth University. He also produces a podcast – – which focuses on how to infuse positive thinking into everyday life. Topics range from interpersonal relationships, goal setting, positive self-talk, and spreading positivity.
Wilkerson attended Bowie State University in Maryland but transferred and earned a bachelor’s degree in history at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He holds a master’s degree in counseling and is pursuing a Ph.D. in communication at George Mason University.
