STAT: Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow

STAT Alumni Mentor Program - Alumni Participant Information

The STAT Alumni Mentor Program provides an opportunity for students and alumni to connect in positive one-on-one mentoring relationships. Through the program, alumni can enhance the quality of a current student's experience by interacting, exchanging ideas, and sharing their experiences and knowledge with future SIUE graduates. Alumni mentor volunteers are matched with a junior, senior or graduate-level student majoring or interested in their career field. Your role as an alumni mentor is to inspire, encourage and support your student, and to contribute to their professional and personal development.

How Much Time Is Required to Be a Mentor?
We know how busy our alumni are, and we do not want your participation in this program to hinder your day-to-day routine or conflict with your other commitments. Therefore, we have made this program as adaptable and user-friendly as possible. The amount of time you commit is entirely up to you. The important thing is to work with your student and decide on a plan that you can both commit to - this may be a monthly e-mail or phone call, or an in-person meeting once a semester.

What If I Live Outside of the Edwardsville Area?
Keep in mind that alumni do not need to live in close proximity to SIUE or to their student in order to participate in the program - a mentoring relationship built solely on e-mail, phone calls, letters, etc. can be just as effective as mentoring a student in person. The basic objective of mentoring is to encourage and assist in the development and growth of a student.

What Is Involved in a Mentoring Relationship?
Each mentoring relationship will be different because of the student's development level, the student's needs, his or her personal interests and a mentor's strengths and talents. A mentor can provide a wide variety of assistance to students including:

• Providing career advice and networking tips
• Listening to a student's ideas and concerns
• Introducing them to new people, places, interests and ideas
• Encouraging them to set goals and develop a plan of action to reach those goals

The STAT Mentoring Committee members will communicate with all participants throughout the school year to provide discussion topics and mentoring tips. STAT and the SIUE Alumni Association will also host a variety of networking events including SIUE Speednetworking and Alumni Mentor Mixers.

How Can I Get Involved?
If you are interested in serving as an alumni mentor and working with a current student, click here to complete the on-line registration form.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the program, please contact Katie Bennett, STAT Adviser, at 618-650-2762 or kabenne@siue.edu.