Alfred University’s second Mentorship Day, held Oct. 3, was a resounding success, bringing together more than 250 students and dozens of university alumni who returned to the campus to share expertise and job tips with undergraduates.
Alfred University’s second Mentorship Day, held Oct. 3, was a resounding success, bringing together more than 250 students and dozens of university alumni who returned to the campus to share expertise and job tips with undergraduates.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural effort to foster mentoring relationships between students and alumni, organizers of Friday’s event hosted 15 panels at which alums could talk about their careers and offer advice to future professionals.
The panels ranged from a workshop on artificial intelligence to sessions on women in leadership positions; working in the not-for-profit sector; interning, networking, and negotiating; managing career changes; and community engagement.
The sessions, according to organizer Diana Maguire, professor of Management and Leadership, College of Business, “allowed our students to engage with successful alumni at various stages of their careers, to hear their stories, listen to their advice, and begin developing relationships that will enhance their experience at Alfred and help them develop their career channels.”
Maguire added the university intends to continue growing the range of opportunities in future Mentorship Days, attracting more alumni to campus and offering a greater range of panels.
The 2025 Mentorship Day was the result of complex planning, with extensive coordination between Maguire, the Career Development Center and the Office of Advancement, which liaises with university alumni. The day began with students signing in while coffee and pastries were served. A lunch break followed a keynote speech by Enid Borden ’72, former president and chief executive officer of Meals on Wheels and the founder and chief executive of the not-for-profit National Foundation to End Senior Hunger.
The day wound down with a more informal get-together for socializing between faculty, staff and alumni presenters.
Organizers also distributed surveys to students, and according to Maguire, the results have been positive. “We’re getting good, constructive feedback and thoughtful advice we can put to use next year. We created this conference for our students, and it makes them feel good that Alfred offers this kind of programming and service.”
For an overview of University alumni who shared their experience with students, click here.
