The Barton School of Business at 萝莉社is excited to announce the
launch of its new Mentor Pilot Program, which pairs students with distinguished alumni
from the Barton School Dean鈥檚 Alumni Advisory Board. This initiative aims to foster
valuable connections, stimulate personal and professional growth, build a strong sense
of community, and provide essential guidance to help shape the next generation of
leaders.
鈥淎s a serial entrepreneur, I鈥檝e come to realize how vital relationship-building is
and how having someone in your corner can truly impact your mindset,鈥� said Erin Cummings,
president of the Barton School Dean鈥檚 Alumni Advisory Board and a member of the Dean鈥檚
Advisory Board, serial entrepreneur, author, and angel investor. 鈥淭his program not
only allows us to give back, but also gives us the opportunity to help shape the Barton
School鈥檚 future by sharing our experiences and insights.鈥�
The program will run through the Spring 2025 semester, with mentors and mentees meeting
monthly. Mentors will provide support in navigating academic and career challenges,
offer feedback and accountability for the student鈥檚 goals, and share valuable advice
for both personal and professional development.
鈥淢entorship has had a profound influence on shaping who I am today,鈥� said Rachel Douglass,
a member of the Dean鈥檚 Alumni Advisory Board and Senior Manager of Communications
at Textron eAviation. 鈥淎s a mentee, I鈥檝e been fortunate to learn from those who have
shared their wisdom, helping me tackle challenges and make informed decisions. Their
guidance has built my confidence and resilience. I鈥檓 excited to create a supportive
environment where my mentee can openly share their goals and seek insights.鈥�
Students were selected through a competitive application process, which included submitting
a resume and a pitch video outlining their aspirations for the program. Additionally,
each mentor-mentee pair worked with Curt Coffman, founder of The Coffman Organization
and co-author of several New York Times bestsellers. Using Coffman鈥檚 TalentSet, a
data-driven approach, the program matched mentors with students based on their individual
strengths.
鈥淣one of us truly navigate life alone,鈥� said Tiahna Padilla, one of the students selected
for the Mentor Pilot Program. 鈥淲e all have someone we can turn to for advice or guidance鈥攕omeone
we respect and look up to. These mentors play a crucial role in offering new perspectives
and valuable lessons.鈥�
With plans to expand the program in the future, periodic assessments will allow for
continuous improvement based on feedback from both alumni and students.
鈥淚 want to understand the 鈥榳hy鈥� and the 鈥榳hat,鈥欌�� said Simon Deaver, another student
selected for the program. 鈥淚 want to know why my mentor chose the path she did, and
what drives her. I believe that learning about others鈥� motivations can help me refine
my own purpose and goals.鈥�
The Mentor Pilot Program officially launched with a kickoff event earlier this month
in Woolsey Hall.
For more information about the Barton School鈥檚 Alumni Advisory Board, visit .
