Learn about mentors available for selection in the current cycle of Co-Serve’s Mentor Program.
The following mentors, in alphabetical order, are participating in Co-Serve’s March 2026 – June 2026 Cycle of the Mentor Program. Students participating in the program can use this page to choose their mentor. Students should send an e-mail to [email protected] with their top three mentor choices. Mentors already chosen will be removed from the page.
Aigerim Bekturganova
Growing up in an international family, I have always been surrounded by people that led me by their inspiring examples that shaped me into the person of integrity above all else. Their presence exposed me to various languages as well as showed me what it is like to be a true servant. I am lucky enough to say that I have had the opportunities to experiment with various fields, being attracted to them by my inner desire to explore, but no matter what I did — it all seemed to lead me back to my Rome, which is law. It is such a fascinating tool as it shapes the world, provides assistance to those in need and protects their rights, which is one of the reasons why I chose to study it. Apart from law, I enjoy learning and teaching languages, dancing, writing stories, reading fantasy books, and books about history and science. Being a human to me means to live not only for ourselves, but for each other, to create for each other, and make the world a better place for each other — and that, in my eyes, is true beauty and love. I am beyond excited to discuss all the topics and help each other grow as servant leaders.
Robert Collins Jr
I am from the Pacific Northwest of the USA. I was born and raised in the greater Seattle, Washington area. I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree and entered a 27 year career in Law Enforcement. I worked for a city of 50,000 population near Sea-Tac International Airport. I was assigned as Acting Operations Commander when I retired. My other assignments included Special Operations, Patrol Sergeant, Criminal Investigations Supervisor, and handling the Internal Investigations Unit as Professional Standards Sergeant. Concurrent with my police career I served on the leadership board of our local church. I live in Portland, Oregon with my wife of 46 years. We have three grown children and seven grandsons. My interests and activities include golfing, snow skiing, playing basketball, motorcycle riding and watching my grandsons’ soccer and basketball games.
Shan Hill
My wife Jaime and I live in a small town just outside of Portland Oregon. We have two children at home. Jaime is a veterinarian and works here in town. I work in the real estate profession. We have attended Good Shepherd Community Church in Boring Oregon together since 2011. Our faith is important to us and we continue to grow together. Between the kids and work, we do not have a lot of free time but we try to spend time outdoors in the summer as much as we can.
Dilip Joseph
Dr. Dilip Joseph (MPH, MD) is the founder of Wholistic Health International, a non-profit created to increase awareness of the wholistic nature of life and health in individuals, families and communities. He has a passion to develop communities that would invest into an integrative nature of health – physical wholeness as a result of a healthy interaction between an individual’s body, soul, and spirit. It is his desire to see a shift in the conventional paradigm of physical wellness into one that is a balanced approach between the physical, social, and spiritual interactions. Dr. Joseph is married to Cilicia and have five children – oldest is a girl followed by four boys, all ranging between ages eight and 18. His hobbies include traveling, reading, writing, following and occasionally playing tennis, etc.
Marina Larina
My name is Marina Larina. Now I’m working as a Chief Development Officer in a Linguistic Center in Omsk. I was a teacher of English and Spanish at Kazakh American Free University for 17 years. Speaking about my study I graduated from East Kazakh State University. It offered me a general course of academic subjects, providing higher education. The University offered a number of courses giving profound knowledge in a variety of fields: the humanities, natural sciences. I specialized in the humanities because English has always been my favorite. At Kazakh American Free University I gave lectures in Translation subjects and gave tutorials in Spanish and English. I also taught in the Graduate School. I was lucky to attend classes of Servant Leadership. I participated in the Servant Leadership Academy in 2012 and in 2017. The leadership role is an inevitable reflection of people’s needs and challenges in modern life. Now I use the knowledge of Servant Leadership in running business and in developing the linguistic center.
Joktan Audu Maisamari
Joktan Audu Maisamari lives in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, with his wife and Son. He is passionate about youth development and raising leaders who serve with integrity and compassion. Since 2020, he has been actively involved with Harvest Leadership Community in Africa (HaLCiA), where he currently serves as the Coordinator of the University Centre for Servant Leadership at the University of Jos. Joktan earned a B.Sc. in Sociology from the University of Jos and is rounding up a postgraduate program in Social Work at the same university. His academic background, combined with his practical experience working with students, has strengthened his commitment to leadership formation and mentorship among young people.Over the years, he has facilitated servant leadership trainings for student groups, student executives, and university staff, helping to build a culture of service, accountability, and character-based leadership within the university community. He also coordinates mentorship programs that connect students with experienced mentors for personal and leadership growth. Joktan believes that one of the most strategic ways to transform society is by shaping the mindset of future leaders while they are still in universities. He looks forward to start this journey of raising leaders with servant hearts (You) across Nigeria and beyond.
Juan Medina
I have traveled to 24 countries and have lived in Russia and Mongolia, Afghanistan, Kuwait, India, Philippines, Haiti, and Paraguay. My most recent trip was revisiting Afghanistan in the summer of 2019. I presently live in Texas and was raised in a Hispanic culture and speak Spanish and speak Dari and have learned Japanese and Russian. I have earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Management degree from Baylor University in Waco, TX and a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems in Phoenix, AZ. I have worked in the Information Technology Sector for 15 years and have done Project Management for 5 years and currently am a freelancer where I work in the Education and Financial sectors. I enjoy playing guitar, singing, hiking, camping, running, swimming, and biking and teaching ballroom dancing. I am a health nut and enjoy vegetarian and/or vegan meals. I also am looking into possibly going into the medical field having met prerequisites this past year for Nursing. Furthermore, I am a Jack of all trades as I love learning and teaching others. I enjoy mentoring others and look forward to interacting with international students to learn from them and mentor them in whatever capacity I can with what is given to me. It would be an honor to serve any and all who God puts in my path.
Jim Simons
My wife Debi and I have been married over 30 years and have one son finishing his doctoral program in creative writing. I am a retired IT Senior Program Manager having worked in DevOps and Research & Development. Kazakh-American Free University has hosted me several times to speak on Business Communication, Career Success, IT Topics, English, and Spanish. I have assisted in three Servant Leadership Academies in Colorado and was blessed with getting to know international students and learning what they were learning. My hobbies are photography, reading, and biking. I write on computer security and basic investing. I am currently learning Russian to be able to communicate more widely with students in Central Asia.
Gary Williams
Gary and Julie have been serving with Co-Serve and the work in Afghanistan for many years. Gary spent a career in the construction field and had the opportunity to practice servant leadership as the Vice President and COO at Western Partitions, Inc. in Portland, Oregon. Gary is now retired, but is still active in the business world as a mentor and a coach. As a member of Co-Serve’s Leadership Team, Gary champions and helps direct Co-Serve’s Mentor Program, Coaching Program, as well as programs in Afghanistan.