The 2018 political science graduate plans to go to Hungary in January to begin a prestigious Fulbright research award though the U.S. Department of State to explore international relations.��

It’s just the latest chance to pursue her interests abroad, and she credits most of them to the continuing aid, interest and support from UofL mentors.

“I think the big thing I learned at UofL was to try things — to put your name out there and try options,” Golding said. The Florida native arrived in Louisville with her political science major in mind and a legal career as a goal, following in the footsteps of her father, 1986 law alum John Golding. However, her path to complete the undergraduate major led her in a different direction, thanks to the encouragement of faculty and staff and to other options explored during her time on campus.

“I was open to other opportunities,” she said. “My mentors at UofL were able to see in me something I couldn’t see in myself.”

Her UofL selection was cinched when she visited Belknap Campus for the Accolade admissions event for high school academic achievers “and fell in love.” Once enrolled, she ended up spending loads of time in the building where her major classes were.

“I was political science to the core,” Golding said. “I lived in Ford Hall and the Ford Hall basement (study area). I recommend UofL’s political science department to anyone I meet. They helped foster that passion I already had for political science.”

She zeroed in on one of those professors, Julie Bunck, her first year at UofL. Golding remembers sitting in Bunck’s class thinking, “somehow, someway, she’s going to be my mentor.” And she was – and remains so.

“Dr. Bunck, in particular, likes for people to check in and tell how we’re doing,” Golding said. “She’s a friend and also a mentor, too.”

Not all the nurturing folks taught in Ford Hall, however, Golding was in the Honors Program, where Luke Buckman and Kirsten Armstrong – “people who always encouraged my crazy ideas” – enriched her college experience. Golding served on the Honors Student Council and as an Honors peer adviser for incoming students for two summers, as well as participating in other related programs.

Plunging into the Honors charitable fundraiser – a huge week-long, biennial book and media sale – she helped run it the year it benefited Camp Quality Kentuckiana for children diagnosed with cancer. About the same time she also worked heavily on raiseRED, the largest UofL student-run philanthropy effort, to raise funds to fight pediatric cancer.

“It is a lot of work,” she said. “It’s always worth it in the end when you see the checks (for the charities’ donations).”

Speaking of hard work, Golding commended everyone in another UofL office, the Office of National and International Scholarship Opportunities, for shepherding her efforts to gain the Fulbright award she ultimately won.��

“I think that’s something that sets UofL apart, that office,” Golding said.

“Fulbright is a very intensive process, but it’s one of the most prestigious scholarships that someone can win,” she said.

The first thing she and fellow applicants realized is to prepare to discard the first application draft, no matter how hard they labored on it, and to keep revising.

“The big thing is to go to people for advice, having people help you,” Golding said. “Everybody at UofL is trying to help you make it better. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”

That light first shone when she qualified as a Fulbright alternate, although she didn’t get the call to go that year. As an English Speaking Union scholar, Golding also spent time at Oxford University focusing on European Union politics.

After graduating from UofL, she opted to study abroad again, earning a master’s degree in European studies at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium. “It ended up being a phenomenal experience,” Golding said.

Her second try for a Fulbright paid off, and that’s why she plans to be in Hungary next year researching the role of central Europe in trans-Atlantic energy cooperation.

Golding hopes her Fulbright term next year could also enable her to remain in Europe to help with a Budapest summer school opportunity that she enjoyed last year, when she was the only American participating at Antall Jozsef Knowledge Center, where she studied regional security politics.

Since summer 2019 she has been stateside in Florida, applying that political acumen to work on a congressional campaign as well as serving as volunteer coordinator with the Blessings in a Backpack nonprofit organization.

So where might all this lead?

Although she admits her dream job would be U.S. secretary of state, Golding does foresee herself “working in D.C. in some capacity with the State Department.” All the building blocks so far are adding up to work in foreign policy or diplomacy.

“I’m excited to see how everything falls together,” she said.

When he graduated, Bobbitt accepted a position in the College of Arts and Sciences as an academic advisor, a role he’s held for nine years. In the spring, he received the Provost’s Award for Exemplary Advising.

His department also recently won a ‘Best of Region’ award for academic advising at the Region 3 NACADA Conference. ��

When Bobbitt isn’t advising A&S students, he serves as co-executive director for Camp Quality Kentuckiana, an organization that provides a summer camping experience and year-round support programming for children with cancer. He took time out of his busy schedule to talk to UofL News about his favorite parts of the job, how he accidentally came into this career, and how he helps students ‘find their why.’

UofL News: Describe your work as an advisor.

Eddie Bobbitt:��My role is to assist my students to degree obtainment. I fear that when some people here the role of ‘academic advisor,’ they think we just talk about academic requirements with our students. That is just a small part of our positions.�� We are counselors, mentors, educators and advocates. In my nine years, I’ve had to help students with everything from applying to law school to changing a tire.

UofL News: How did you get into this role?��

Eddie Bobbitt:��I got started in this career by accident. In the spring of 2006, I was looking for a summer job to help pay the bills. I was walking through the Quad and saw a flyer posted seeking Peer Advisors in the College of Arts and Sciences. I was not an A&S student but decided to apply anyway because the position sounded fun and I really needed the money (what college student doesn’t).�� Thankfully I made the staff but had no idea my life would change that summer. My plan was to go into marketing after graduation. That was until I realized how much I enjoyed working with students.

UofL News: How to you balance your workload to make sure your students are getting what they need?

Eddie Bobbitt: To be completely honest, it can be tough at times. You are constantly trying to find the balance to reach as many students as possible while not sacrificing the quality of advising they receive. I am a list person. I begin each day with an upbeat playlist, coffee (and sometimes Red Bull) and a few minutes to write out my goals and objectives for the day. This helps me stay focused on what I really need to get done for the day and limits distractions.

UofL News: What is your favorite part of the job?

Eddie Bobbitt: This is going to sound incredibly corny but it’s the truth: My students are my favorite aspect of the job. They allow me to be a part of their story and I try not to ever take that for granted. I specifically enjoy going to Commencement because that is the payoff. At times, you can become a ‘fan’ of certain students because you know what they had to overcome in order to walk across that stage. It’s an awesome feeling to know that you had a small part of making it happen.

UofL News: What would you consider the most challenging part of the job?

Eddie Bobbitt: The most challenging part of my job is to not become too machine-like when working with students during heavy advising periods. There are a variety of administrative tasks that we me must complete during each appointment. It’s easy to become robotic when you see 50 students in week. To prevent this from happening, I try to take a moment in between each appointment to reset and relax. Every appointment is an opportunity to positively impact the life of a student. We have to keep that in mind because that is the reason advisors are in this field.

UofL News: Why do you think you earned the Provost’s Award for Exemplary Advising?

Eddie Bobbitt: I thought they were kidding at first when they told me I was selected as the recipient. I still think the committee made a mistake and miscalculated the votes!

In all seriousness, winning the Provost Award was definitely a highlight in my career. I think what stood out was the support letter from my students. Perhaps it showed the committee how dedicated I am to student success. I was honored to receive the recognition but the letters from the students mean more to me than any award. They are the reason I do what I do and I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with them.

UofL News: What do you think makes your department stand out in a way that earned you a ‘Best of Region’ award?��

Eddie Bobbitt: Early last year my friend (and colleague) Bret Hirsch and I had idea to present at the Region 3 NACADA Conference. We titled our session, “Hashtags to High-fives.” The idea of the session was to give the conference attendees tangible, practical and cost effective ways to connect with students. We discussed everything from utilizing social media to how to incorporate remote control inflatable sharks into practice. On our way to the conference, we thought the attendees would either think it was a very engaging session or a dumpster fire. Thankfully it wasn’t the latter.

We won Best of Region and got the opportunity to present at the national conference in Atlanta. To our surprise, we had over 500 advisors attend our session. We are still getting emails of advisors using some of our methods at their institution. In regards to what makes our department stand out? I work with some incredibly talented people. If we stand out, it’s because of their individual hard work and creativity.

UofL News: How do you spend your spare time?��

Eddie Bobbitt: I like to stay busy. Currently, I’m finishing up a second master’s degree in school counseling. When I’m not on the Belknap campus, I serve as the Executive Director for Camp Quality, a local non-profit that serves local children dealing with cancer. I also volunteer for Exit 0 (homeless outreach based in Jeffersonville) and serve on the School Counseling Board at New Albany High School.��

UofL News: What is the best piece of advice you’ve received that you maybe even impart upon your own students?

Eddie Bobbitt: One of my favorite authors and motivational speakers is Dr. Eric Thomas. He is a former academic advisor at Michigan State University and is now a professional motivational speaker. He speaks often about finding your ‘why.’ By doing so, you will be motivated to put more effort in what you do because you remember the greater purpose. I try to impart that on my students. It’s so much bigger than just graduating from college. It’s about being the first person to graduate from college in your family. It’s about achieving your life-long dream of becoming a doctor. It’s about getting the degree so you can go help at-risk youth. Whatever it is, finding your ‘why’ can be so powerful.