UGA Mentor Profile: Cole Duke and Robby Thomas (ABJ ’04)

Participating in the UGA Mentor Program has been a transformative experience for Cole Duke, a third-year journalism student and his mentor, Robby Thomas (ABJ ’04), Vice President and General Manager of WIS-TV.

“I was the first in my family to attend UGA, so I learned many things the hard way,” Thomas shared. “Mentorship allows me to share those lessons and help others navigate their paths. Plus, curiosity drew me to this rewarding opportunity.”

For Duke, the program provided much-needed clarity and guidance. “Dean Davis recommended it, and I wanted to learn how professionals transition to the real world,” he explained. “Each meeting with Robby helped me grow as a person, student and professional.”

Both were pleasantly surprised by the unexpected benefits. Duke gained a meaningful industry connection that shaped his career goals, while Thomas gained valuable insight into the post-COVID student experience. In addition to mentoring, Thomas has also served on the Grady College Alumni Board since 2023.

Although mentors and mentees are typically paired for 16 weeks, these relationships often extend well beyond the program’s timeframe, fostering long-term personal and professional growth.

Continue reading for a Q/A with Duke and Thomas.

Grady College: What motivated you to register for the UGA Mentor program?

Duke: Dean Davis highly recommended me to take part in the Mentor Program. The more I heard about it the more I liked it. The opportunity to see how someone got over the hump into the real world was interesting to me. I was excited to communicate with a professional to gain some insight into what it takes to get through, and enjoy, the college experience.

Thomas: I was the first person in my family to attend the University of Georgia, meaning that I learned a lot of things the hard way. The beauty of mentorship is that you can share things you’ve already figured out, giving others a head start or at least some helpful advice as they navigate their own paths. Plus, I was just curious. Curiosity has led me in some rewarding directions in my life.

GC: How has your mentor impacted your personal or professional growth through the program?

Duke: I always looked forward to our meetings because I felt like I grew as a person, a student, and a professional after each one. Hearing about his industry and how people in the workforce think was very valuable to me. I feel more prepared for the future having engaged with my mentor. 

Thomas: Listening to my mentee describe his goals and challenges immediately took me back in time to circumstances that felt very familiar. Thinking back through some of those decisions helped me appreciate just how much I’ve changed since my time at UGA. Hindsight is 20/20 and our conversations gave me a refreshed perspective.

GC: What have you learned about yourself through your participation in the program?

Duke: I have learned that I am eager to get out there and make a name for myself. Every bit of opportunity excites me. The mentorship program offered me a glimpse of what I want to become and where I need to go. 

Thomas: This experience only deepens my love and appreciation for the University of Georgia. Go Dawgs!

GC: What was your most significant takeaway from this connection?

Duke: Going into the workforce is not nearly as intimidating as I originally thought. However, there will be opportunities in my life and I need to be ready to take them. My mentor gave me the ability to make specific career goals that I am continuously working towards. 

Thomas: Students need these conversations. There are possibilities and opportunities out there that they haven’t considered because they just don’t know what they don’t know. So many career pathways opened up to me through the years that I never imagined when I was in school, and if I can help students see those sooner, maybe I can help them find their purpose more quickly.

GC: Would you encourage other students/Alumni to participate in the UGA Mentor Program? If so, why?

Duke: I highly recommend the mentorship program to any student who believes in themselves or to any student who needs a push. I took part in it as a necessity for a class, but I had never imagined where it would take me in my personal and professional growth. Growing a relationship with a UGA alumnus was very special for me and I will always remember it.

Thomas: I wholeheartedly endorse participation in the UGA Mentor Program. Students need these conversations to broaden their worldviews and help them recognize their options earlier. Mentors will be energized, inspired, and rewarded with the feeling that comes from giving back.

Visit the UGA Mentor website to register to become a student mentee or an alumni mentor. There are several dozen Grady College alumni waiting to be paired with Grady College students.

Editor: Shannon Lorusso, sel67411@uga.edu