Alumni Mentoring Program
Program overview
The CCAD Alumni Mentoring Program aims to provide opportunities for students to connect with alumni for guidance in developing the skills needed to succeed in their careers. Alumni mentors can offer their perspective and knowledge on best practices to navigate a successful career path by helping students explore career options, encourage students to grow their professional networks, and provide feedback related to portfolio reviews and interview prep, among other areas.
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. The program is structured to be flexible and self-directed to accommodate both alumni and student schedules, and mentors and mentees do not need to be within the same geographic location in order to connect. Mentoring can be conducted in person, over the phone, or virtually. The program consists of at least one monthly contact over the length of the mentoring session, and the level of time committed is agreed upon by the individual mentor and mentee pairings.
Note: Mentorship opportunities are limited depending on the number of participating alumni and students each academic year. If we are unable to confirm a pairing for the current mentoring session, we will keep alumni and/or student information on file for the following academic year.
Important dates
2022–2023 Mentoring Program Session will run Sept. 26, 2022–May 12, 2023
Alumni Mentor Call for Applications: Aug. 1–Sept. 2, 2022
Student Mentee Call for Applications: Aug. 24–Sept. 16, 2022
Mentor and Mentee pairs are e-introduced: Sept. 26, 2022
Monthly Mentoring Sessions: October 2022–May 2023
Program Session Concludes: May 12, 2023
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.
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.
FAQs
September-May. Mentorship opportunities are available each academic year, starting in the fall semester and ending in the spring semester.
Alumni Mentors:
- Mentors must be alumni who are graduates of CCAD to be eligible for this program
- CCAD defines a graduate as an individual who has earned a CCAD degree
- Alumni who are interested in being mentors must apply to be part of the program
- Note: Mentors provide services to students in the CCAD Alumni Mentoring Program on a volunteer basis
- Note: Alumni who are specifically interested in mentoring graduate students should discuss mentorship opportunities with Kelly Malec-Kosak, Chair of Master of Fine Arts ([email protected])
Student Mentees:
- Undergraduate students are eligible for this program once they’ve completed their first year
- Note: 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
- Note: Graduate students should discuss mentorship opportunities with Kelly Malec-Kosak, Chair of Master of Fine Arts ([email protected])
Mentors and mentees are expected to meet at least once monthly during the length of the program. The length of time per 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.
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 alumni and/or student information on file for the following academic year and program session.
If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Marie Morgan, Alumni Engagement Coordinator, at [email protected].