UGA Mentor Profile: Whit Pope and Jason Heslep (ABJ ’00)

UGA Mentor Profile: Whit Pope and Jason Heslep (ABJ ’00)
Participating in the UGA Mentor Program has been a transformative experience for Whit Pope, a fourth-year entertainment and media studies student and his mentor, Jason Heslep (ABJ ’00), senior production manager at Cartoon Network and Adult Swim with Warner Brothers Discovery.
“Being at UGA and in Grady for these past few years, I have been reminded of the importance of networking,” Pope shared. “Now, I look at it as not something I have to do, but something I get to do as a student at UGA.”
For Heslep, the Mentor Program awarded him the opportunity to connect with new talent in his industry — “[Pope’s] unique perspective on filmmaking and his willingness to push boundaries has encouraged me to revisit my creative goals and inspired me to take more risks in my own work.”
Pope and Heslep found the program to be both professionally and creatively enriching. Pope was able to get actionable advice from an industry professional, and Heslep gained fresh perspectives that renewed his love for the field.
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 Pope and Heslep.
Grady College: What motivated you to register for the UGA Mentor program?
Pope: I had heard a lot about the Mentor Program when I first got to UGA, and it was always something I told myself I would be a part of. Last year, I decided to reach out and connect with Jason, and I am very grateful I made that decision.
GC: How has your mentor impacted your personal or professional growth through the program?
Pope: As an Entertainment and Media Studies major, I felt like my options for a mentor were very diverse. I was fascinated that I had the chance to apply so many filters onto my search in terms of industry, degree or nearest city. Jason Heslep’s profile caught my eye because of his work as a production manager for Warner Bros. Discovery. As someone who hopes to go into production and development, I felt like I would have a lot to learn from him. Meeting him for lunch allowed me to have a face-to-face interaction that cleared up some questions I had about what someone in his role does exactly. Most importantly, I gained great advice on how to envision my career journey immediately following post-grad, which is something at the top of mind for most UGA students.
Heslep: I first met Whit in the Fall of 2023. He was a third year at Grady and in the process of producing a 15 minute student film, Ghosted, leading a team of 30 through all stages of production. I could quickly see his passion and love for filmmaking which was a joyous reminder as to why I’m still working in television two decades later.
I meet with a couple other mentees who are really sharp and passionate about what they’re working on. It’s been encouraging to see the quality and competence of the next generation of Grady grads. Mentoring Whit and the other students has sharpened my own leadership and communication skills. Explaining concepts, offering feedback, and helping them navigate their projects has forced me to articulate my thought processes in new ways and remember that everyone has a different communication style. I’ve learned that for myself, it’s more effective when I’m intentional at being patient, genuinely listening, and ensuring that I offer advice that is practical but also empowering. This has enhanced my ability to communicate effectively with teams in my own professional environment, making me a better collaborator and leader.
GC: What have you learned about yourself through your participation in the program?
Pope: Being at UGA and in Grady for these past few years, I have been reminded of the importance of networking. At first, it was a daunting task, yet I realized the fear was something that I had to learn to overcome. Now, I look at it as not something I have to do, but something I get to do as a student at UGA. We have such a phenomenal community of alumni, and opportunities like the UGA Mentor Program are one of the things that reminded me of that. I truly realized people are willing and want to help, for maybe not too long ago they were in similar shoes as us students.
Heslep: On a personal level, working with Whit has challenged me to reconsider my own career trajectory and to think critically about the legacy I want to leave in the industry. His unique perspective on filmmaking and his willingness to push boundaries has encouraged me to revisit my creative goals and inspired me to take more risks in my own work. It’s been a rewarding experience to see him grow and find his voice as a filmmaker. In turn, it has reignited my own passion for innovation and storytelling.
Through my interactions with Whit and my other mentees, I’ve also learned the value of flexibility and adaptability in mentoring. Every mentee has different needs, goals, and ways of learning so it has highlighted how important it is to tailor my approach to their individual style. This adaptability has strengthened my own ability to work with diverse teams and handle unexpected challenges in my professional life.
GC: What was your most significant takeaway from this connection?
Pope: The candid conversations Jason and I have truly helped demystify my perception of what certain media roles can look like and just how one arrives at where they are. A piece of advice Jason gave me still resonates today and I will most definitely carry it with me in the future. He told me that a career journey in the entertainment industry is not always a ladder, most of the time it is a jungle gym. Overall, the connection I made with Jason was very helpful and inspiring as I continue to climb my own proverbial jungle gym.
Heslep: This experience has been very rewarding, and it has reinforced my belief in the power of mentorship as a two-way street. While I have been able to offer guidance and share my experiences, I’ve learned just as much from Whit’s enthusiasm, ideas, and resilience. It has helped me refine my mentoring abilities but has also reignited my passion for the craft of filmmaking and production. It has reinforced the idea that teaching and guiding others can be a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth, and I am grateful that I’ve been able to learn and grow alongside him.
GC: Would you encourage other students/Alumni to participate in the UGA Mentor Program? If so, why?
Pope: I would 100% recommend the UGA Mentor Program to students at UGA. Even if you are unsure, you should make a profile and spend some time reading about the mentors. You will most likely find someone that you connect with on some level. I feel like it is one of the only one on one opportunities to network with people in specific positions that align with your goals. In the process, you will learn a lot about yourself and your professional goals all while practicing building connections and networking. The Mentor Program rocks!
Heslep: Yes! The UGA Mentor Program fosters a sense of community and connection at UGA, which can be especially valuable as students transition from academics to their professional lives. Whether you’re looking for career advice, industry insights, or personal development, the UGA Mentor/Mentee Program offers a structured yet flexible way to achieve those goals through long lasting relationships. I’ve encouraged Whit, as well as my other mentees, to continue to connect and touch base with me and other Grady grads even after our official Mentorship has ended. I hope to be a resource for them for years to come and who knows…maybe I’ll get to work with them someday. GO DAWGS!
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: Madden Callahan; emc50486@uga.edu