Mentor Connect is a student-alumni mentoring program that bridges students with School of Education graduates who have experience in the field of education and beyond. The program is designed to foster professional growth, enhance career readiness, and provide students with insight into their future professions. By pairing current students with alumni mentors, participants gain personalized guidance, networking opportunities, and real-world advice tailored to their career goals.
Mentor Connect is designed to cultivate meaningful, lasting connections between current students and alumni who are walking similar paths and forging unique journeys beyond campus. Our goal is simple yet powerful: to empower students with guidance, insight, and encouragement, while providing alumni with a chance to give back in a personal and impactful way.
Mentors and mentees are expected to actively engage, be respectful, share insights, remain accessible, and seek feedback. They will be asked to submit an exit survey to assess the program’s effectiveness. Mentors are also invited to learn more about SOE’s Ambassador program, which includes mentoring among its volunteer opportunities.
“Mentor Connect was a unique opportunity to see where alumni go and how well SOE prepares them. Not only do their studies set them up for the next step but they empower them to dream even bigger. I hoped to go abroad after graduation; it was so inspiring to connect with an alum who did just that—she lives in Paris now! We were even in similar clubs at Syracuse, which made the connection feel especially relatable. Now I’m moving to Australia, and that conversation gave me confidence to take the leap.”
–Mirielle Smith ’25
“I’m excited to join SOE’s Mentor Connect program, as I believe mentoring can help students at any stage of their career. I had a mentor as an elementary school teacher, during my service for the New York City Department of Education, and for the past 12 years several mentors have helped me work in the nonprofit sector.”
–Emily R. Ades ’89, P’21, P’23, Director, The Kinnect Foundation, and SOE Advisory Board Member
Who can participate in Mentor Connect?
Undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in the School of Education, as well as SOE alumni interested in mentoring and staying connected with the School and University community.
Are the meetings in-person or virtual?
It can be either, or both! Meetings can take place virtually on a platform such as Zoom. If your mentor is local and both parties are comfortable, you can meet in person.
What is the time commitment?
We suggest mentors and mentees connect at least four times a semester. Communication is key. It’s up to the pair to decide what works best.
What should we talk about during our meetings?
Great mentoring conversations strike a balance between personal connection and professional growth. Some topics to explore are:
Do you have examples of successful pairings?
A mentoring match brought together a driven student exploring inclusive education and a dedicated professional with deep experience in PreK-12 instruction. Though their academic paths differ, their shared passion for education and supporting others created a meaningful connection, covering grad school insights to career prep.
A student passionate about inclusive education and curious about teaching abroad paired with a mentor currently living and working in France. This connection offered firsthand insights and dynamic conversations into career paths, certification, overseas opportunities, and life as an educator beyond US borders.
What if I have more questions?
Please contact:
