The college is asking friends and graduates to support its Alumni Mentoring Program (A.M.P.) during the university’s 24-hour giving event, One Day, One U of A, on April 10.
A.M.P. was created to build strong connections between the college’s students and alumni and help students navigate their professional journeys. The program helps foster a caring culture in the college, a cornerstone of its WE CARE Strategic Plan.
Mentors provide wisdom, career insights and encouragement. They actively help students by offering job shadowing, resume reviews and coaching. Gifts from One Day, One U of A will support activities that have a lasting impact on mentors and mentees, including materials for conducting mock interviews and career planning workshops.
“Our mentors enjoy giving back to their alma mater while playing a pivotal role in shaping the future success of our graduates,” said Mary Keith, director of career initiatives in the college. “They want to help empower students to navigate the world of work with confidence.”
Madelyn Hum Reinlein said she wanted to participate in the program because her favorite classes at the U of A involved practitioners sharing their experiences. “I wanted to be a mentor to share my experiences with my mentee since I have worked in various settings in clinical and administrative roles,” said Reinlein, the director of training and speech-language pathology supervisor for Circle of Care Pediatric Home Health. “The most rewarding thing has been receiving updates from my mentee. She has since been accepted into the Honors College and is working on her clinical hours this semester. It’s rewarding to see such bright futures in our field.”
Reinlein was paired with Kate Mason, a student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program.
“I decided to join the Alumni Mentor Program because I wanted to learn from someone who has walked the path that I am currently navigating,” Mason said. “My mentor has been beyond helpful and supportive. She has provided the best advice on applying to graduate school, building my resume, and how to get involved with different volunteer opportunities. Before meeting with Maddie, I had so many questions about applying to grad school and how to put my best foot forward. She answered every question I had with ease and created a safe place for me to share my nerves.”
Mason said hearing about her mentor’s experience and journey as a speech-language pathologist has been “comforting and encouraging.”
Visit the A.M.P. website to learn more about the program or apply to be a mentor. Visit the college’s One Day, One U of A online giving page on April 10 to donate to A.M.P.
Beyond financial contributions, One Day is also about engagement and participation. Supporters are encouraged to spread the word by sharing their reasons for giving on social media, using the hashtag #1Day1UofA.
