Mentoring Program Success Continues
Now in its fifth year, the HHD Alumni Mentoring Program is firmly established in all nine undergraduate programs of the College of Health and Human Development. The program has been so successful that the Health and Human Development Alumni Society received the “Student Interaction Award” at the Penn State Alumni Association’s 2005 Volunteer Awards ceremony for its development and implementation of the Program, in which nearly 300 students are paired with alumni working in their field of interest.
photo by Gene Maylock
HDFS Alumni Mentor Kristi Mattzela and Student Protege Allison Gahr
In January and February, new and continuing mentor/protégé pairs attended one of three alumni mentoring dinners and workshops held at The Nittany Lion Inn. New alumni and students to the program had an opportunity to meet for the first time – an essential component to establishing the mentoring relationship – and returning alumni and students who were paired the previous year had the opportunity to get reacquainted. After dinner alumni and students attended workshops facilitated by faculty and returning alumni and students. By sharing best practices and experiences, the new class of alumni and students began to understand how to establish goals for their own mentoring relationship. Each evening ended with alumni and students pairing together to work on setting goals and action items for the coming year. Those alumni and students who are in their final year revisited their goals and created action items such as reviewing the student’s resume or conducting mock interviews.
One of the discussions held during the mentor workshop sessions identified the desire for mentors to have the opportunity to meet together to discuss career paths and share professional information. Additional opportunities for alumni and student interactions were also discussed. This year several academic units sponsored roundtable and panel discussions prior to the mentoring dinner. These types of events will continue to be planned so alumni who are returning to campus for the mentoring events are provided additional opportunities to interact with each other and with undergraduate students.
photo by Gene Maylock
RPTM Alumni Mentor Michael Baker and Student Protege Lindsay Johnson
The College is grateful to all alumni who choose to participate in the mentoring program. The students benefit from alumni who commit their time and energy to help prepare them for the next stage after their undergraduate education is complete. By sharing their expertise and experiences, students gain valuable information about work-related issues, internships and graduate school. Judith Nisewonger, a retired health and physical education instructor, has enjoyed mentoring students for four years. In a recent interview she said “It is great to reassure students that they can succeed. I love it and grow personally, too.”
We are looking forward to 2007 and have confirmed the dates for the dinners and workshops.
- The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the Schools of Hospitality Management and Nursing will host their dinners and workshops at The Nittany Lion Inn on Friday, February 2 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
- The Departments of Biobehavioral Health and Nutritional Sciences will be hosting luncheons on Saturday, February 3 beginning at 11:30 a.m.
- The Departments of Health Policy and Administration, Human Development and Family Studies, and Kinesiology will host their dinners beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 3.
- The Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management will host a brunch on Saturday, March 31 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The mentoring event will be followed by the annual RPTM Recognition Banquet later that evening.
Recruiting for the next class of mentors will begin in September. Alumni who are interested in becoming a mentor may contact Diane Collins, coordinator of the Mentoring Program, at dvc1@psu.edu or visit www.hhdev.psu.edu/alumni/mentor where an on-line application will be available.
