Mentor: Dr. Steve Quane

“When Checka was writing her Question, she told me she was interested in olive groves. I made her a deal: if she took my Tectonics of Western North America course, we’d end the field trip at an olive grove. That set her on the path she’s still on today.

Checka was full of curiosity and motivation. As her mentor, I was like a benevolent bank on a river: her energy was driving the flow, and I just kept her in the current. If I thought she was heading the wrong way, I would flail my arms from the bank, and she’d figure out how to course-correct.

Mentoring students like Checka is one of the best things about teaching at Quest.”

Mentee: Francesca “Checka” van Soest ’18

HER QUESTION: What is the nature of olive oil?

What she’s doing now: Pursuing her dream job in an olive grove in Australia

“My mentor made all the difference in my education. He was my guide on the Big Island of Hawaii, where I not only learned about geology, but how to take care of myself and others, and how to work in small, cramped groups for long periods of time.

He guided me through my Question, but never pushed me in any direction. Steve helped me come up with the idea of writing a book for my Keystone. Originally, it was going to be much more of a cookbook than the popular science book it became. Having a great mentor meant
so much!“