The 2021 Texas Law Alumni Mentor of the Year is Kerstin Arnold ’95, recently retired General Counsel with the Texas State Board of Pharmacology. Arnold, whose name was put forth by both of her mentees, Yatika Chaudhri ’23 and Daniel Fox ’20, was selected from a group of nearly two dozen nominees.
“It’s rare that our mentors receive multiple nominations in a single year,” said Rémi Ratliff ’95, the Director of the Mentoring Program at Texas Law. “Kerstin’s helpfulness and unique perspective impressed her two mentees and distinguished her nomination among a group of excellent candidates.”
Arnold said she felt honored to be nominated and recognized for being a mentor at the law school. “I really appreciate that these two people, who are obviously very busy, wrote in on my behalf. It’s super sweet.”
She has enjoyed mentoring students and young professionals for the past 20 years and has made many friends along the way. Working with the Texas Law Mentoring Program has been a meaningful part of her life and career.
“I was lucky enough to find a job that I enjoyed,’ Arnold said. And she coaches her mentees to seek the same. “I encourage them to explore a lot, to figure out what type of work they like to do. Because that’s how they can excel and seek fulfillment in their careers.”
Arnold joins a distinguished list of past Mentors of the Year including Lisa Anderson ’88, The Hon. Patrick Keel ’89, Karen Burgess ’96, Ari Herbert ’18, and Cynthia Akatugba ’13.
Arnold’s mentees were excited to know she was recognized with the award. “Her kindness, humor, perspective, and eagerness to help are big reasons why I feel more able to move through law school with confidence,” said Chaudhri.
Fox praised the caliber of Arnold’s mentoring saying that she “encouraged me to seek a career path that best suits my strengths and goals.” He added, “I could not have asked for a better mentor.”
Ratliff and the Mentor of the Year nomination review committee were proud to recognize what a positive impact Arnold has had on her two mentees.