Mentorship Day
We are excited to announce Alfred University's first annual Mentorship Day during Homecoming and Family Weekend on Friday, September 27, 2024. This event brings together our successful alumni and students for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration.
Mentorship Day is a chance to learn and connect with experts and leaders in their fields. See the benefits of Mentorship Day and check out our events happening below!
All sessions below re-occur in four time slots throughout the day. Please click the button above to sign-up through AUConnect.
Meet the 2024 mentors!
Schedule of events:
Location: Franklin W. Olin Building
Time: 9:20 a.m.
About: It's important to build your network as you grow in your career, but, it's your connections that will take you further. This session will cover the difference between networking and connecting and why being a connector is the more effective skill. The speaker will discuss how she has developed quality relationships — with an eye toward two-way conversations and opportunities to help others — that have helped her not just advance her career, but find fulfilling life experiences.
Featured Speaker:
Danielle Johnson-Kutch '03, Director of Government Affairs, DocuSign
Franklin W. Olin Building
About: Non-profits are tax-exempt organizations that funnel excess revenue toward advancing their mission. Panelists will discuss the mission of their organization and how it helps improve the lives of individuals and their communities. They will discuss how their passion/desire to serve led to their position and how the work continually motivates them. Non-profits go beyond education and religious organizations. Medical and other research, the arts, engineering, even AI.
Featured Panelists:
Patrick Brennan '98, Assistant Professor and co-Founder of Essex Flowers Gallery, NYC
Grace Evans '22, SOY (Supporting Our Youth) Coordinator
Kristin Rubisch '10, Development Manager at Counseling In Schools
Moderator: Tammy Raub, Vice President for Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Alfred University
Location: Franklin W. Olin Building
About: Breaking glass ceilings can be tiring; get some energy hearing from your female peers. This panel will share their career journey as well as insights and strategies on navigating the workplace as a woman.
Featured Panelists:
Yasmin Mattox '07, Director of iZone, University of Rochester Libraries
Rachel Teall '07, Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Natalie Krauser '98, Director of Development, AIChE - American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Moderator: Corey Fecteau '01, Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Alfred University
Location: Franklin W. Olin Building
About: Developing a lifelong career that provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment is the goal of many. Do what you love as a career, excel, and success will follow. This panel will share their perspectives on developing their interests and strengths into a fulfilling and rewarding career.
Featured Panelists:
Natalie A. Wendig '09, Owner, Natalie's Studio
Mike Joiner '18, Director of Reentry Training & Employment Programs for NYS, Pathstone Corporation
Krystina Gauer '21, MBA '22, Co-founder HONGO Skin
Moderator: Lukas Perry '23, Manager for Enrollment and Marketing Services
Franklin W. Olin Building
About: Advocacy leads to a better work environment. It creates a healthy and positive workplace with employees who feel confident, secure, and supported by their leaders and colleagues. This panel will share success stories and highlight how to advocate for yourself and other historically underrepresented groups in the workplace.
Featured Panelists:
Sam Pierre Louis '20, Due Diligence Coordinator, Kickfurther
Amis Crawford '10, Glass Studio Technician
Carter Adams '21, ESL Teacher, Providence, RI
Susan Vitch Rozak ’86, MS ’88, Sr. Application Engineer, Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics and Refractories
Moderator: Eliott Houghtelling '23, Social Media Manager, Marketing and Communications Department, Alfred University
Franklin W. Olin Building
About: Your experiences on campus are valuable tools to help you post-grad! Panelists will discuss their own experiences and give tips on how to make the most out of your student-work and student leadership experiences, and how to turn those into meaningful careers after AU.
Featured Panelists:
Garth Johnson '00, Curator of Ceramics at the Everson Museum of Art
Leo Pamphile '20, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist, QBE North America
Anastasia Campbell '20, Program Coordinator Monroe Community College
Moderator: Mechele Romanchock '02, Director of Libraries, Scholes Library of Ceramics, Alfred University
Franklin W. Olin Building
About: Panelists will discuss how to maintain a harmonious relationship between work and personal life and the importance of community engagement both in and out of the workplace. Presenters will discuss keys for thriving and flourishing in the first years of employment.
Featured Panelists:
Zach Harrington '14, Partner, Financial Advisor, Chief Investment Officer, Rise Advisors, LLC
Reg Miller '09, Judicial Law Clerk U.S. District Court
Amy Bennett '14, Chief Operating Officer, Northern Lights Candles
Moderator: Erin Schurr, Associate Athletic Director, University Athletics
Location: Franklin W. Olin Building
About: Many graduates end up in career fields that are not directly (or even remotely) tied to their AU major, yet their education has been instrumental in preparing them for work. Panelists will discuss how their AU education prepared them for their careers, even if those careers are not the ones they originally anticipated.
Featured Panelists:
Brian Gable '17, State Trooper NYS Police
Angelica Sudore '20, Paraplanner, Rise Advisors, LLC
Matt Yuhas '95, Sales Manager for Upstate New York, Sauder Education
Sydney Dominick '20, Licensing Coordinator, Fidelity Investments
Moderator: Maggie Weiss '20, Student Activities & New Student Co-Curricular Coordinator
Student Experience, Alfred University
About: You pick up many skills in college that you might not yet realize are useful in the work world. Likewise, employers might not be aware of your skills that they would find beneficial. Learn from these panelists the value of skills you develop as a student and how to highlight those skills so employers realize just how capable you are.
Featured Panelists:
Emanuel Williams '21, Relationship Banker II at Forbright Bank
Knox Van Renselaar '22, Graduate Assistant George Washington University
Terel Marshburn '15, Chemung County Program Manager
Moderator: Emma Robinson '16, Chair of the Beth Robinson Judson Leadership Center (JLC) Advisory Board
Benefits of Mentorship Day:
Gain Real-world knowledge - Speakers share insights from their professional journeys, offering you a glimpse into the realities of various industries and roles.
Expand Your Network - Build connections that can lead to internships, job opportunities and lasting professional relationships that can benefit you throughout your career.
Receive Guidance - Alumni understand the unique challenges students face. They can offer advice on career planning, skill development, and job search strategies.
Find Inspiration - Listening to alumni stories of success and perseverance can motivate you to pursue your goals with renewed determination and confidence.
Create Lifelong Connections - The relationship you form can evolve into enduring mentorship and friendships, providing ongoing support and encouragement.
SIGN-UP FOR MENTORSHIP DAY!
Students interested in attending, please click on the sign-up button. Alumni, faculty, and staff members interested in attending should contact Jessica Doner, director of career development, at [email protected] or call 607.871.2174.