Mentoring
Each student is assigned a mentor who guides the individual student in finding practical applications of the principles taught in the classes. He is like a coach who teaches, challenges, and encourages each student to reach his best.
Specifically, he helps the student set goals that are important and practical. In an ongoing way, he helps the student track his progress toward these goals.
Mentoring sessions take place from 12:00-1:30pm, before each session of The Grade. Students can sign up for mentoring sessions using the links provided in emails from The Grade.
If a student is not able to mentor at The Grade in a given month, some mentors are available to meet at other times and locations (such as Southmont Study Center in South Orange, New Jersey and Overlook Study Center in New Rochelle, New York).
Mentor Bios
Jeff Pawlick
Jeff Pawlick is the director of The Grade. He worked with The Grade in various capacities during his PhD in Electrical Engineering at New York University. Since then, he has studied philosophy and theology at the University of the Holy Cross in Rome and is currently writing a Masters thesis on neo-Aristotelian philosophy of nature. From Saratoga Springs, New York, he enjoys music composition, 3D printing, and rock climbing.
PETER CONROY
Peter is the assistant director of The Grade. Originally from Chicago, Peter graduated from the University of Dallas with a degree in Politics and a Master's in American Studies. He then taught government, US history, and economics for a year at Founders Classical Academy in Lewisville, TX. During his first year in NYC he worked in Manhattan Institute's Adam Smith Society. This year he will be teaching history at Cardinal Hayes High School. His favorite pass-time is going on adventures with friends.
PHONG NGUYEN
Phong was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, to Vietnamese parents. He graduated from Harvard College in 2019 with a degree in Neuroscience and History, and has spent the past five years working in healthcare strategy. Currently, he serves as Director of Corporate Strategy at UnitedHealth Group, leading initiatives to improve healthcare operations across the payer/provider space. Phong has several years of experience mentoring undergraduates through OptimalWork, and in his free time, he enjoys cooking, hip-hop dance, and karaoke.
Miguel Caranti
Miguel was born Houston, Texas to Argentine parents and was (naturally) raised in the saddle. He graduated from Princeton University with an AB in Physics in 2021 and a Master’s in Electrical Engineering in 2023. He currently does materials science research at a lab at Columbia University and directs technical operations at First Things. In his spare time he enjoys grilling, long runs, and catching up with his siblings.
ALEX BOHLIN
Alexander graduated with a BSc in Economics from King’s College London. As a Partner at Bohlin Group, Alexander oversees early-stage project development in infrastructure projects nationwide. He also works in sustainable agriculture and has a passion for getting passionate about various things. His historical residences include South Africa, the U.K., Italy, Spain, and the Great State of Florida.
Javier Mazariegos
Javier was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He grew up in the Washington DC area where he attended The Heights School and graduated as the Salutatorian in 2019. He studied Philosophy and English at The Catholic University of America where he won the President's Award in May 2023. After graduating he managed operations for Cornerstone, a start-up promoting fatherhood and family flourishing. Currently he works in development and alumni relations for The Heights School. The second of seven boys, he enjoys sports, story-telling, and learning from the people around him.
zig sanchez
Zig hails from Houston, Texas. A veteran mentor for The Grade, he graduated from University of Houston in 2022 with a B.A. in History. Since then, he’s moved to New York where he works as a middle school teacher at Resurrection Ascension Catholic Academy in Queens. In his free time, Zig enjoys the outdoors, reading (he’s a history buff), and playing sports, especially Frisbee.
Max Yun
Max was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. He received his B.A. in Public Administration with a Specialised Honours in Law, Justice, & Public Policy at York University. Max has experience in both federal and provincial levels of Canadian government and will be working for the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN this year. For several years, Max was heavily involved with the OneUP program, The Grade’s brother program in Canada. Max is an avid skier and enjoys reading in his free time.
TONY CRNKOVICH
A proud son of Virginia, Tony grew up on the outskirts of our nation's ever expanding capital. While at The Catholic University of America, he studied Philosophy and was elected Student Body President. Currently he works for Seton Education Partners recruiting teachers for its network of charter schools. For fun, Tony enjoys playing Squash (not the fruit) and working with his hands.
Thomas Carmody
Growing up in Long Island, Thomas is a New York native. He received a bachelors degree in Quantitative Risk and Insurance at St. John’s University. Currently, Thomas lives in Flushing, Queens and works as an underwriter in Lower Manhattan (FiDi). When he is not working, Thomas enjoys competing in sports (especially volleyball and soccer), biking, and exploring NYC.
NOAH PENNY
Originally from Houston, Texas, Noah moved to New York after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin three years ago. He works for a New York-based private equity investment firm focused on buying and building business of lasting value. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, playing tennis, reading and keeping up with friends, near and far.
JONATHAN (JONNY) GAGNON
Jonny is a native New Yorker who grew up in the town of Cornwall. He is a recent graduate from Princeton University where he received his Bachelor's in Civil and Environmental Engineering along with a minor in Hellenic Studies. He is now working as a structural engineer at Guy Nordenson and Associates. In addition to exploring the architecture of the city, Jonny enjoys soccer, painting, and board games with friends.
FRANCESCO CATANZARITI
Born and raised in the beautiful region of Calabria, in southern Italy, Francesco is an American-loving European. After his Bachelor in Economics and Finance at Bocconi University in Milan, he came to the US to study at Princeton University, where he graduated from the Master in Finance program. Currently he is a Macro Analyst at Balyasny Asset Management. He is passionate about art, literature, music and philosophy and he loves catching up and meeting new friends in the city.