A steady presence: Allie Farris named Mentor of the Year
Farris (left) pictured with Wilkerson (right)
A staff member from UNT Health has been recognized for her continued commitment to youth mentorship, earning a top honor from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tarrant County.
Allie Farris, project coordinator in the UNT Health College of Public Health (CPH), was recently named Mentor of the Year, an award celebrating mentors who have demonstrated consistency, leadership and meaningful impact in the lives of those they serve. Mentor of the Year nominees must be matched with their mentee for at least one year demonstrating consistent engagement aligned with the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission.
Farris began her mentorship journey in September 2023 after applying and completing the organization’s selection process. She was matched with her current mentee the following month and spent two and a half years building a strong and supportive relationship grounded in trust and encouragement.
Big Brothers Big Sisters awards on a table
“This award emphasizes the importance of having a great mentor and the positive impact they can have on your life,” Farris said. She credits her own support system for shaping her approach towards mentorship. Stacey Griner, PhD, associate professor in the College of Public Health, encouraged Farris’ application to the program, while Zoe Wilkerson, her match support specialist at BBBS, played a key role in her development as a mentor.
“Dr. Griner's mentorship helped me grow personally and professionally, and this is one of the many ways she’s changed my life,” says Farris, who previously worked as a peer mentor at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and mentored a first-year MPH student during her second year of the MPH program at UNT Health. “All my previous mentees at UTSA and UNT Health challenged me to evolve as a leader — shaping me into the mentor I am today.”
Throughout her mentorship, Farris focused on building her mentee’s confidence, so her mentee could recognize her full potential. She noted that her mentee was recently named captain of her soccer team, a milestone that reflects her growing confidence and willingness to step into leadership roles.
Dr. Griner (left) pictured with Farris
“She has blossomed from a shy freshman into a more self-assured junior,” Farris said. “It has been an honor being her mentor, confidant and cheerleader for the last two and a half years.” Continuing through the Mentor 2.0 program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lone Star, Farris will continue to support her mentee until their high school graduation next year.
Farris says the award feels like a “win” for both, reiterating the importance of showing up for others and investing in their growth.
“Allie has remained a constant in her mentee's life, especially during the ‘sophomore slump’ where mentees begin to take ownership of their matches,” says Wilkerson. “She has been a ray of sunshine, supporting other mentors with a smile. I know her mentee feels blessed to have her support, and I do as well.”