Mentoring at UMass
We need you! As a UMass Amherst graduate, you have valuable experience to help guide the next generation of UMass graduates. Mentoring can be as simple as a phone call or a longer-term relationship. Whether you’re a student, recent grad, professional, or retired—take advantage of mentoring resources and programs at UMass today!
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is about sharing information, being a resource, and supporting another person through challenges and wins to facilitate personal and/or professional growth. You determine the format—some mentoring relationships are informal and short-term; others are structured and continue for a longer time.
Who can be a mentor?
In the past, mentoring was viewed as a relationship between a seasoned professional and a person with less experience. The truth is anyone can be a mentor! You don't need to be an upper-level executive, work in the helping field, or even possess certain credentials. All you need is a desire to listen, learn, guide, support, and encourage others.
“Watching UMass students succeed and knowing you’re making an impact is one of the best feelings I could have as a UMass alum.”
Michelle Gamliel, ’14
Why should I mentor?
As a UMass graduate, you understand the value of a UMass degree. Mentoring is a highly rewarding way to share your unique perspectives and help others make important life and career decisions, strengthening our global UMass community!
How do I become a mentor?
Take part in flash mentoring
Connect UMass, our exclusive networking platform for students and alumni, offers short-term, unstructured mentoring, also known as flash mentoring. Create your Connect UMass profile today to share your knowledge, or to search for alumni who want to help you.
Campus mentoring programs
Many schools and colleges manage their own mentoring programs, and regularly recruit alumni to serve as mentors for their students. Connect with the contact to learn more.
Serves as an entrepreneurial incubator space for students from all class years and majors. Alumni entrepreneurs from all backgrounds guide students in their business pursuits. Time commitments vary based on need. Contact
Amy LeClair if interested.
A structured mentoring program for Manning CICS undergraduate and graduate students during academic breaks. Alumni in computer science and information meet with students weekly for 2-3 hours over four weeks. Contact
Vera Palmer if interested.
Alumni are selected to mentor MBA/MS dual degree students or first- year MS students. Mentors are generally in senior management positions and meet with mentees 1-2 times a month. Shadowing days are strongly encouraged.
Contact
Will Norton if interested.
SBS undergraduates who identify as first generation, low-income, and/or students of color are welcome to participate. Alumni with like life experience who completed any SBS degree between 2000-2022 are welcome to become a mentor. Both short and long-term mentoring opportunities are available.
Contact
Felicia Griffin-Fennell if interested.
School of Public Health and Health Sciences Crossroads Mentoring Program
Open to graduating seniors with any SPHHS major, with preference given to those directly entering the world of work. All SPHHS alumni are welcome to apply to become a mentor. A six-month mentoring commitment is encouraged but not required. Contact
Tracy Eason if interested.
Undergraduate engineering majors from all class years are eligible to participate. All Engineering alumni are welcome to apply. Mentors and mentees will meet for three, one-hour blocks, with more if requested. Alumni interested in becoming a mentor can complete this form. Contact
Todd Butynski if interested.
Open to undergraduates preparing for careers in government, politics, and public policy. Alumni mentors must have five or more years of experience; special focus on BIPOC women in politics/policy. Mentors meet with mentees at least eight times a semester and may also help at events. Contact
Michelle Goncalves if interested.
Share your mentoring stories!
Are you a mentor or a mentee? We loving hearing about your mentoring success stories!
Share your experience with us! We might feature your experience on Connect UMass, or in our social media.