TROY, Ala. (WDNews) — Troy University is launching a program to connect high-achieving students with professionals and alumni who can help them plan their careers.
The Distinguished Faculty initiative is part of the University Honors Global Scholars Program. It is designed to connect students with mentors who can share work experience, offer guidance and help them learn beyond the classroom, according to an Oct. 19 university news release.
Dr. E. Gaylon McCollough, founder and leading surgeon at McCollough Plastic Surgery, is the first Distinguished Faculty member. The role allows professionals and alumni to work with honors students without holding a regular teaching job.
“The Distinguished Faculty initiative reflects Troy University’s commitment to connecting academic excellence with meaningful professional experiences,” said Judson Edwards, interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “By engaging accomplished professionals and alumni as mentors, we can help students broaden their perspectives, explore career opportunities and understand how their education can prepare them to make a lasting impact in their fields and communities.”
Priya Menon, director of University Honors, leads the effort. It aims to connect students with people whose careers show strong academic work, leadership and service to their communities.
“We want to connect students with distinguished individuals whose lives and careers exemplify intellectual curiosity, professional achievement, leadership and service,” Menon said. “Academic excellence is important, but so is understanding how knowledge and expertise can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
University Honors already offers challenging courses, research, leadership training and hands-on learning. The new effort adds more chances for students to learn from people working in their fields of interest.
“By connecting students with professionals across a range of disciplines, the program aims to extend learning beyond the classroom and help scholars explore pathways to success in their chosen fields,” Menon said.
The idea grew out of McCollough’s visit as keynote speaker at Troy’s summer commencement. With encouragement from Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr., the program began looking for ways students could build connections with the surgeon.
“To be selected as the inaugural visiting professor is an honor beyond description,” McCollough said. “Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to be exposed to great men and women who were great achievers and who gave back to society and humanity in ways that went beyond dollars and cents. They made the world a better place.
“I feel responsible for giving back to humanity and to younger people in whatever ways I can. This initiative is a wonderful opportunity to fulfill that mission.”
The university also established the McCollough Scholarship in his honor. Its first recipient is Cade May, a biomedical sciences student from Troy who plans to enter medicine.
McCollough invited May to shadow him at his medical practice. The two have begun communicating.
“That connection demonstrated exactly what we hope to accomplish,” Menon said. “A student interested in medicine now has the opportunity to learn directly from an accomplished surgeon, not simply about the profession, but about the experiences, decisions and responsibilities that shape a career.”
“We hope to provide opportunities for Dr. McCollough to engage with students through conversations, lectures, mentoring sessions and other activities,” Menon said.
University Honors plans to seek more affiliated faculty members from across Alabama. Those could include people working in engineering, medicine, law and other fields.
The program also hopes Troy alumni will help students understand career choices, workplace expectations and the steps needed for advanced study.
“These individuals can help students see what is possible in their chosen fields,” Menon said. “We want to identify accomplished professionals and TROY alumni who can share their experiences, offer mentorship and help students understand the paths available to them.”
University Honors plans to work with academic departments and campus offices, including Development, Marketing, the Student Government Association and Career Services. The goal is to give students more ways to take part and prepare for work.
The Global Scholars Program uses specialized courses, international experiences, research and leadership training to prepare students for competitive graduate programs and careers. The new faculty effort aims to help students turn their academic interests into career plans.
“Our vision is to make academic excellence something people can see in the experiences and accomplishments of our students,” Menon said. “With the support of University leadership, faculty and the broader community, we believe the Honors Program is well positioned to help TROY achieve that goal.”
McCollough’s surgical career spans five decades. The university said he has earned international recognition as a surgeon and educator. He has written three textbooks on facial and nasal plastic surgery and 22 nonmedical books.
According to the release, he was recently included in the National Registry of Who’s Who and is listed in Woodward and White’s “Best Doctors in America” and “America’s Top Plastic Surgeons.”
His honors include the March of Dimes’ Alabama Citizen of the Year award for 1994-95, the United States Sports Academy’s Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt Meritorious Achievement Award and the All-American Football Foundation’s Unsung Hero Award.
McCollough has taught facial plastic surgery to surgeons around the world. His teaching travels have taken him to India, Colombia, Germany, England, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
His wife, Susan Nomberg of Dothan, is a former Miss University of Alabama and Miss Alabama International. The release also identifies her as Art Tour International’s 2017 Artist of the Year. The couple has two children, Sted and Chanee, and four grandchildren.
More information about the University Honors Global Scholars Program is available at https://www.troy.edu/academics/university-honors-global-scholars-program.html.
Photo caption: Dr. E. Gaylon McCollough was selected as the inaugural Distinguished Faculty member. Photo provided by Troy University.
