Teamwork for the Win: The Impact of Mentorship on Academic and Professional Development

While he single-handedly completed the coursework needed to earn a bachelor’s degree last spring, Anthony Neptune credits a trio of mentors with providing the support needed to pave a path forward and find a rewarding career. After a decade spent working in human services, the 2024 graduate of the BS in Psychology and Human Services program found his way to William James College upon the recommendation of professors at Massachusetts Bay College (where Neptune was pursuing his associate’s degree and working full time) whom he not only respected but also trusted.

 “The combination of talking with my professors, who spoke kindly of the program, and understanding that William James College is specifically focused on psychology really tipped the scales for me,” recalls Neptune. An emphasis on meeting the unique needs of adult learners like him, with young families and full-time jobs, made William James College an excellent fit.

 “There was a real push for excellence, [in particular] drawing out students’ critical thinking abilities, on which professors did not compromise,” says Neptune who embraced the rigor and sense of purpose he found in his classes. Connections forged with his mentors—amidst a community of thoughtful educators who consistently challenged and supported Neptune along the way—ultimately strengthened Neptune’s undergraduate experience and encouraged him to see a path forward. 

Kerri Augusto, PhD, Director of Undergraduate Studies, challenged Neptune to think critically, share his perspective without fear, and back it up. “And that was the expectation, at all times,” says Neptune who quickly learned that the details—surrounding everything from word count to proper APA format—really matter. 

“She gave in-depth feedback on papers, that was clear and to the point, but her acknowledgment of my many strengths assured me she was on my side,” says Neptune who credits Augusto with helping him to improve exponentially as a writer.

“She provided full-on engagement with my ideas that was phenomenal,” he recalls, underscoring that feedback on papers, directly linked to topics the pair discussed in meetings, read like an extended one-on-one dialogue with the professor. Given his high expectations, a flexible approach to his studies—coupled with Augusto’s unwavering belief in his abilities—undoubtedly fueled Neptune’s academic success. 

Another individual instrumental to Neptune’s success was Joan Axelrod, MEd, Director of the Academic Resource Center, with whom he had a standing appointment on Fridays as an undergraduate. “She kept a slot open for me every week and, if something came up with my family or work, she understood,” says Neptune, citing another benefit of remote learning: The educators at William James College are understanding of students and the many responsibilities they are juggling every day.

“Joan supplemented what was going on in my class work and meetings with professors by focusing on my future goals,” says Neptune, in a nod to invaluable feedback stemming from a deep understanding of where he was headed in his career.

Miranda Lane, PsyD, Adjunct Faculty stands out to Neptune for the amount of one-on-one time she spent in an effort to understand him and his goals. “Her confidence in me and my abilities as a professional and an individual—coupled with in-depth feedback on my assignments, when she had piles of other papers to grade—really set me up to think that I could achieve whatever I set my mind to,” says Neptune whose expertise includes consulting with executive leaders in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors at Neptune Coaching, which he founded in 2020. 

Suffice it to say, Neptune counts his mentors’ unwavering support and belief in his abilities as a blessing. When contemplating next steps, he toyed with the idea of leaving the Boston area and pursuing his doctorate. While several factors (chief among them his young family) kept Neptune rooted in Massachusetts, one in particular stands out: 

“The thought of building these relationships again from scratch, when I already have them to the maximum degree, didn’t make sense,” says Neptune who is currently enrolled in the College’s Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology program. For now, he has his sights set on combining real-world experience gleaned in the field with research-based frameworks to push his professional offerings to the next level. 

And if he decides to one day pursue his doctorate?

 “I know there's going to be support,” says Neptune, “and that my people at William James College—who gave me the gift of confidence to know I can achieve what I want in higher ed—are going to do everything in their power to help me realize my goal.” 

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