Alumni Mentoring Program
Inspire and empower CCAD students by becoming an alumni mentor.
The Alumni Mentoring Program at Columbus College of Art & Design connects current students to established alumni to receive career guidance, professional development, and more. Share your perspective and knowledge of industry best practices—and reconnect with CCAD in the process!
Alumni have the opportunity to mentor students on a voluntary basis each academic year, starting in the fall semester and ending in the spring semester.
This flexible, self-directed program is designed to accommodate mentor and mentee schedules. Mentoring sessions typically happen once per month, and they can be held in person, over the phone, or online. No two mentoring experiences are the same, but you’re likely to offer industry insight, provide portfolio feedback, and provide other creative and career-related pointers.
While the mentorship engagement lasts a single academic year, many pairs have continued to stay in touch personally and professionally, even collaborating on creative projects.
It really gives an opportunity to foster learning for both participants, and possibly build towards a future where both mentor and mentee could become peers…. It’s fascinating and wonderful to see the world through the eyes of a new generation and to share that moment when discovery or realization happens.
UPCOMING MENTORING SESSION DETAILS
Mentoring sessions last a full academic year. Opportunities are limited and vary based on the number of participating students and alumni each semester.
| Detail | Date |
|---|---|
Session Duration | Oct. 10, 2023 - May 10, 2024 |
Alumni Mentor Applications | Aug. 8 - Sept. 8, 2023 |
Student Mentee Applications | Aug. 23 - Sept. 22, 2023 |
Match Day | October 2, 2023 |
Welcome Meeting | October 10, 2023 |
Closing Meeting | TBA |
Program Evaluation Opens | May 8, 2024 |
Following the mentoring session, program evaluations will be accepted for about a month.
Mentor Expectations
Alumni mentors are expected to meet with their student mentees at least once monthly during the length of the program.
We encourage mentors to actively listen to their mentees, ask supportive questions, and provide direct and constructive feedback without offending or criticizing. We expect mentors to be responsive and to reply to mentees in a timely manner.
Mentors are not expected to offer job or internship opportunities, initiate all communications with their mentees, or have all the answers to questions from their mentees. Mentors are also not expected to continue the mentoring relationship after the program concludes; however, they are encouraged to continue connecting if interested.
Read more in the Mentoring Guidebook.
Mentee Expectations
Student mentees are expected to meet with their alumni mentors at least once monthly during the length of the program.
We encourage mentees to discuss their interests and expectations with their mentors up front, actively ask insightful questions, and be receptive to constructive feedback provided by their mentors. We expect mentees to be the initiators of their mentoring relationship, be considerate and respectful of their mentors’ time, approach the relationship with professionalism and respect, and respond to all communications in a timely manner.
Mentees should understand that their mentors are not expected to offer job or internship opportunities, initiate all communications, or have all the answers to their questions.
Read more in the Mentoring Guidebook.
Alumni Mentoring FAQ
For Alumni Mentors:
Mentors provide services to students in the CCAD Alumni Mentoring Program on a volunteer basis.
Mentors must be alumni who are graduates of CCAD; we define a graduate as an individual who has earned a CCAD degree
Alumni interested in becoming a mentor must apply to the program
Alumni who are specifically interested in mentoring graduate students should discuss mentorship opportunities with Kelly Malec-Kosak, Chair of Master of Fine Arts, who can be reached at [email protected]
For Student Mentees:
Undergraduate students are eligible for this program once they’ve completed their first year; transfer students are not required to complete one year before being eligible
Students who are interested in being mentees must apply to be part of the program
Graduate students should discuss mentorship opportunities with Kelly Malec-Kosak, Chair of Master of Fine Arts, who can be reached at [email protected]
Mentors and mentees are expected to meet at least once per month during the length of the program. The duration of each meeting is determined by individual mentor and mentee pairings.
A professional relationship between mentors and mentees must be maintained at all times.
If mentors and mentees meet in person, these meetings must occur in public places.
Any form of harassment, including comments on race, color, religion, gender, sexuality, national origin, ethnicity, disability, or age will not be tolerated and will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the mentoring program.
Mentors and mentees should be specific about what confidentiality means to them, and what they might want to remain confidential throughout the mentoring relationship.
Read more in the Mentoring Guidebook.
Mentorship opportunities are limited depending on the number of participating alumni and students each academic year. We will do our best to confirm pairings for all interested alumni and students; however, if we are unable to confirm a pairing for the current mentoring session, we will keep application information on file for the following academic year.
I’m grateful that my mentor put faith in my passion and potential, and I feel as if this is one of the many big steps I’ve taken towards my goals. I encourage others to branch out and connect with the world and take the steps we’re often too afraid to take…The mentorship program can be a good start for many so I always encourage others to apply.”
Other Ways to Support & Engage With CCAD
Alumni mentoring is just one way to stay engaged with CCAD after graduation. Here’s how else to get involved:
Headquartered in Columbus, like many of the world’s biggest retail brands, Bath & Body Works has hired a number of talented, skilled CCAD students and alumni over the years—creative thinkers who have found professional success and fulfillment in their work.
Each year, CCAD recognizes some of our outstanding alumni with our Alumni Awards. And this year, we were aided in that process by our inaugural 12-member CCAD Alumni Advisory Board, who aided in selecting the winners from the pool of nominees submitted by our community members.
The Columbus Arts Festival is back in 2023. This year’s festival, presented by the American Electric Power Foundation and produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council, is Friday, June 9–Sunday, June 11, on Columbus’ downtown riverfront.
Columbus College of Art & Design alum Robert Coles (Retail Advertising, 1995) has established the Coles Diversity Impact Scholarship Fund to strengthen access and opportunities for incoming students at CCAD.
Shorts (Industrial Design, 2006) is the founder/creator-in-chief of Columbus creative agency Artfluential; in addition, he founded the Maroon Arts Group (a collective promoting Black culture and art); has a newsletter, Shut Up and Create; and, with fellow alum—and CCAD Trustee Corey Favor (Illustration, 2003)—is co-founder of artist conference Creative Control Fest.
For more information on the CCAD Alumni Mentoring Program, contact Marie Morgan, Alumni Engagement Coordinator, at [email protected].
