Internships, Mentorship, & Motivation: Q&A with Dean Dayna Touron

February 17, 2025

By Stephanie Godward, Communications and Marketing Director, College of Arts & Sciences 

As the spring semester unfolds, students may find themselves seeking motivation, exploring new opportunities, and looking for ways to make the most of their college experience. Dayna Touron, Ph.D., who joined UofL in July 2023 as Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, is passionate about helping students succeed both in and out of the classroom.  

As a researcher in the psychology of aging and cognition, with a strong belief in the transformative power of a liberal arts education, Dean Touron encourages students to stay engaged, take advantage of campus resources, and build connections that will support their academic and professional journeys. In this Q&A, Dean Touron shares her advice, highlights key opportunities for students this semester, and discusses the importance of experiential learning, mentorship, and campus involvement. 

Q: Now that we’re over a month into the spring semester, what advice do you have for students to stay motivated and make the most of the rest of the term? 

A: It’s important to think about, “why?” What’s your passion? Why are you in this major? Why are you taking these classes? What’s your vision for your life after college, and what’s the impact you want to make on the world? I think that can help fuel your energy when things are challenging, or when you’re hitting a rough patch, or just needing some motivation. Another thing is to stay organized, stay engaged; have study routines and have plans for yourself. That makes it easier to get through challenging days. Connect with other students, have study groups, talk to your classmates, and take advantage of opportunities that are out there. 

Q: What are some opportunities this semester—such as events, internships, or research programs—that students should take advantage of? 

A: Most of our departments have internship programs, so talk to faculty about what opportunities exist. Look on your department’s webpage and see what opportunities exist for internships. There are Cardinal Career Fairs happening soon – go to them and meet employers.Look at Handshake, which is the platform the campus uses for hiring. See what opportunities are there. Get involved in student events and cultural diversity events. The International Fashion Show a few weeks ago I heard was really amazing. So, look at events like that and see what’s happening around the corner. 

Q: How can students connect with faculty, advisors, and campus resources if they need support academically or personally? 

A: The best thing to do is to see when faculty have office hours and make an appointment. Or, if the office hours don’t work for you, email your professor and make an appointment, or even ask for a Teams meeting if that would be easier for you and them. Participating in class and even going up and talking to a faculty member after class lets them know that you are interested. This is a place to ask about research opportunities, internship opportunities, and ways to learn outside the classroom. That is something that is important in making the most out of your time in college, and also provides the kind of opportunities employers are really going to be impressed by. 

Also, always feel free to contact your advisors with questions. Back when I was a professor, I would hear from seniors that they had discovered the writing center for the first time, or they had discovered student tutoring for the first time, and they’d say, ‘Wow, I wish I’d known about that earlier!’ These are all the things we inundate students with at new student orientation, and I know this because I was a parent at orientation just a couple years ago. But it just comes flying at you as a student, and you don’t often reflect on all these things that are here for you – and that includes graduate students, too. These resources are for you. You might as well check them out, ask, and find out more about what they can do for you. 

Q: As we look ahead to the rest of the semester, what are you personally most excited about for the College of Arts & Sciences and its students? 

A: I am most excited about the things that we are doing to help students be successful here. Our fall-to-spring persistence rate—the percentage of students from fall semester that stayed for spring—was 94%—the highest in UofL history. I think that speaks to the fact that we are committed and doing things that try to ensure that students get goodfeedback on how they are doing in class, and that faculty and advisors are really supporting them, and trying to help them reach their goals. Students reaching out to faculty has to be a part of that too, so ask for what you need. Talk to faculty, talk to advisors.  

I am excited about more students coming here. We had record enrollment—more students are coming here, and more students are staying here. I believe in education because I believe it is critically important to having scientific progress, and civic engagement, and a healthy society. I want more people in Kentucky and in the region to have the opportunity to go to school; providing those opportunities and helping students make their way through. 

I am also excited about opportunities outside of the classroom. I think we are doing more to make students aware of those opportunities, like internships, mentorship, and study abroad. I would love for every student to have the opportunity to learn outside the classroom. Employers are looking for this. A report just came out that the number one thing employers said they are looking for is job experience or work-study experience. They really want people who have not just been in the classroom, but are also learning outside the classroom. They want college graduates who have those experiences, because in part, they say the most important skill for employers right now is oral communication skills—even more than writing or technical skills. It’s being able to work with people, in groups of people, have conversations, discourse, listen.  

I am also excited about our new Dean’s Advancement Council Mentoring Program, in which students have the opportunity to be mentored by A&S alumni.We have 60,000 alumni in A&S, and they are business leaders, judges in town—people who are very successful and having a huge impact on our community and across the world. Developing this program and connecting students with alumni to help mentor them and help them network is something I am so excited about because our alumni want to do it, and our students will benefit so much.