Super Mentors
Super Mentors
Meet Our Super Mentors
CV Academics Foundation is proud to work with a group of dedicated undergraduate and graduate students, plus young professionals, collectively known as Super Mentors. Our Super Mentors are experienced and passionate individuals members can turn to for peer-to-peer advice and guidance regarding educational and career development.
What is a Super Mentor?
Super Mentors provide a hands-on, tailored approach to education and career development. As experienced students in their respective fields, Super Mentors have a real-world understanding of what it takes to work towards a successful and fulfilling career. Students have the opportunity to hear from individuals who have walked in their shoes and provide behind-the-scenes insight into what it is really like. This level of career exposure and professional transparency provides students with the information they need to make the most informed educational and professional choices for their futures.
Super Mentors provide unique, fresh, and relevant insights to students on:
• Selecting the right high school and collegiate courses to suit their professional interests
• Successfully approaching the application process for specialty or professional schools
• Finding the right fit for internships and shadowing opportunities
• Effectively navigating through scholastic and professional milestones
Riley Coon
On his way to becoming a physician, Riley is currently an M1 student at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Green Bay. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, in May, 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree while majoring in Biomedical Sciences and minoring in Chemistry. Riley grew up in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, a small community just west of Madison. During his undergraduate years he worked as a medical scribe in the emergency department, coached team basketball for Special Olympics, volunteered as a first responder, and worked as a direct support professional in a group home setting. He enjoys both playing and watching basketball football, golf, baseball, and tennis. He also enjoys reading, mostly non-fiction, and listening to a wide variety of podcasts.
Bryce Dorff
As a Master of Public Health Administration and Policy Candidate at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Bryce is passionate about weaving public health into everyday life. He started his academic journey at Drake University, graduating in 2017 with an Environmental Science degree. Though he has work experience at federal and state public health agencies, his passion is connecting big systems to local community. Between his undergraduate and graduate programs, Bryce worked at a volunteer run, free health clinic. In this role, Bryce learned unique perspectives about the interface of public health, primary care, and social determinants. Bryce is excited to challenge and be challenged by students to address seemingly insoluble systems problems.
Justin Ferkin
Justin is in his last year at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay where he is studying human biology. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, he is set to start medical school. Justin’s love for medicine was discovered inadvertently while becoming an Emergency Medical Technician. After becoming an EMT, he went on to complete firefighter training, hazardous material operations, and became a Paramedic. Justin currently works as an emergency department paramedic as well as a volunteer first responder. Aside from school and work, Justin also enjoys lifting weights and hiking. His passion to serve as a Super Mentor stems from him being a first-generation college student. His mission is to help others realize that they are capable of achieving greatness regardless of race, gender, or any societal label placed upon them.
Taylor LaChapelle
Taylor is currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse majoring in exercise and sport science with a minor in nutrition. She recently received her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license, as she continues on the pre-medicine track. Taylor grew up in Adams-Friendship, a small town in central Wisconsin, where she was valedictorian of her graduating class. She has had the desire to pursue a career in healthcare since middle school. However, it wasn’t until her sophomore year of high school when she sustained an injury during powerlifting practice, and her interest in sports medicine was truly sparked. Taylor has been a competitive powerlifter since 2011, which has opened up a world of opportunity, including traveling to five different countries to compete. She takes pride in both her studies and in her athletic achievements and enjoys helping friends and family with nutritional and exercise tips.
Brandon McKandes
Brandon is a physical therapy school applicant anxiously looking forward to working towards becoming a licensed physical therapist. Brandon graduated from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse in May of 2019 with a Bachelors in Exercise Sports Science. During his time at UWL he played football as well as becoming a coach. His many years of rehabbing sports injuries along with watching his father train people is what sparked his interest in physical therapy. Outside of school, Brandon enjoys being active by playing pickup basketball, working out and riding his bike. He also enjoys spending time with his family, especially if it involves some good food. He has been a super mentor since early 2019, calling it “His most rewarding experience so far.”
Alexis Puyleart
Alexis is a first-year medical student at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Alexis graduated from St. Norbert College in 2019 after majoring in physics and minoring in biology. With her dream to become a physician, she is beyond excited to be a medical student at MCW in Milwaukee. Alexis is currently interested in specializing in neurology, but is still exploring other options while keeping an open mind. She loves being a mentor and is excited to be part of the CV Academics family!
Taylor Shively
Taylor is a certified athletic trainer by both education and career. He received his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa. Taylor then worked with every sport at the NAIA DII level, including working one season with an NCAA DIII football program. Following four years at Clarke University, Taylor was guided to complete his graduate degree at Syracuse University in New York. He went on to accept a job as the youngest athletic trainer in the B1G Conference with the University of Minnesota Track and Field team. Just short of a year with the university he decided to leave his position in search of something that would allow him to be himself in practice, purpose and passion – which is where he currently finds himself as he continues to seek his next career move.
Morgan Vavra
Morgan is currently a freshman working towards getting a five-year degree in dietetics at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. She was unsure of her path for a future career until this semester. However, she has always had a passion for learning about nutrition and studying foods. Morgan spent her first semester in college studying art at the University of Wisconsin – Superior, and wondered if there was a reason to continue her education. One day, she realized how much of her free time was spent researching the truth behind healthy diets and listening to other dieticians’ podcasts. That’s when she knew becoming a dietician was what she was meant to do. Morgan wants to ensure she can help other people struggling to find a career path so that they do not make the same mistakes as she did. This is clearly just the beginning of Morgan’s journey, but she is truly excited for the future of her education as well as her role of Super Mentor for CV Academics.
Matthew Zamzow
Matt is currently a second year physician assistant (PA) student at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and is currently completing his clinical rotations through Marshfield Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Like many students, he was unsure of what path he was bound for until he was introduced to the PA profession during his first year of college. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in December, 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences and a minor in chemistry. During his undergraduate years, he worked as a CNA mentor, helped teach as a biology teaching assistant and organic chemistry tutor, and was involved in an organic chemistry research team. Matt grew up in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, one of the many outer suburbs of the Greater Milwaukee area and somewhere he intends to practice once certified. He enjoys staying active with running, weightlifting, and hiking; most recently enjoying the surreal scenery of National Parks across the country. He also appreciates a satisfying feel-good movie and an authentic and healthy home-cooked meal.