“Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life. I don’t care what you do for a living — if you do it well I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing the way. A mentor.”

– Denzel Washington

I was a terrified first year student. Fighting the daily urge to quit, I stayed put and didn’t drop out, but I thought about it constantly and every year when September rolls around, I remember. It’s a month of change and t...