Following the success of its pilot program last year, the Alumni Relations Team at the Colin Powell School has launched the second year of the Alumni Mentorship Program, now a growing initiative that connects students with alumni across the social sciences to support their professional and personal development.
This year, the program has expanded into a six-month mentorship experience designed to encourage deeper connections between alumni mentors and mentees. The program has grown significantly, increasing from 30 to 51 active mentor–mentee pairs, and continues to build on its mission of strengthening the bridge between college experience and career planning.
The Alumni Mentorship Program was developed in direct response to feedback from both students and alumni who expressed a desire for more opportunities to connect and build lasting professional networks. Mentors and mentees meet twice a month from October through March to discuss topics such as networking, career exploration, and post-graduation planning.
The transition from college to career can be challenging, and this is particularly for students without built-in professional networks. The Alumni Mentorship Program aims to close that gap by connecting students and recent graduates with alumni who can offer advice and real-world insight into their career paths.
Alumna Alexis Dibbs (’20, Psychology) reflected on the importance of mentorship, sharing:
“Being the first in my family to go to college, I know how challenging it can be to find your footing in a new environment—especially in a city as chaotic as ours. I want to be a mentor to help others find their footing faster and make college feel a bit less intimidating.”
Similarly, Sergio Galeano (’16, Economics and Political Science) spoke about his motivation to serve as a mentor:
“The desire to give back and support students in their journey. I valued every mentorship opportunity I had and recognized that the most significant opportunities of my life came from individual interactions. I’d like to support a student in their journey.”
Now entering its second year, the Alumni Mentorship Program is becoming a cornerstone of the Colin Powell School’s alumni engagement strategy that is offering alumni a meaningful way to give back and support the next generation of graduates.
Applying for Future Cohorts
If you’re an alumnus interested in supporting Colin Powell School students through mentorship, complete the form HERE and the alumni team will reach out once the next cohort applications open.
If you are a student or recent graduate (Class of 2023–2025) interested in being paired with a mentor, let us know HERE.
