»Alumni Mentor Program

The vision of the Alumni Mentor Program is to provide an opportunity for Dodge College students and young alumni to be matched with an industry professional in the Fall semester who will assist as they develop the skills and perspectives necessary to succeed in their careers as well as providing a direct link between the classroom and professional world. The pairing will be for an academic year.

The Alumni Mentor Program matches junior and senior undergrad and graduate students, along with young alumni (up to 5 years after graduation) with an industry professional who serves as a role model while providing guidance and direction to the mentee. The main outcome will be achieving a SMART goal that is set by the mentee and reviewed by the mentor. Working with an experienced professional can provide added meaning to the classroom experience as well as enhancing business and career development. Mentors will have the opportunity to reflect on their business/profession through the questions and perspectives of today’s students as well as enjoying the opportunity to give back by working with the next generation of young professionals from Chapman University.

The Alumni Mentor Program is not a placement program. The intent is not to open doors to specific job opportunities. Rather, it allows mentees to develop close relationships with prominent individuals who can share some keys to success while providing advice on what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. The mentors work with mentees in an informal setting to share their thoughts and experiences.

• To create and accomplish a SMART goal.
• To establish a collaborative, personal relationship.
• To acquire insight and understanding about a particular career or profession.
• To build a network and enhance career opportunities.
• To develop and enhance professional and communication skills.

• To review, add suggestions, and approve a SMART goal.
• To create an opportunity to share experiences and impact future leaders.
• To develop personal mentoring and coaching skills.
• To expand your professional network.
• To reconnect with Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

• It is voluntary and based on personal commitment.
• Mentors and mentees are matched on SMART goal(s), profession and industry.
• Both mentor and mentee sustain the partnership.
• Expectations and benefits are clear to all participants. 

• Defined goals and objectives.
• Commitment to make the collaboration work.
• Willingness to share and allocate time to meet or chat on a regular basis.
• Discipline to listen, understand and reflect.
• Goals more defined and trackable

Our goal is to build a database of alumni mentors although we would happily accept applications from other professionals referred by alums or other members in the community who would like to volunteer their time and knowledge. Prospective mentors are expected to:

• Have at least two years experience in the professional world.
• Complete a Mentor Application (for matching purposes) of their educational, personal and business background, and reasons for wanting to be a mentor.
• Review, make suggestions and approve the mentee’s SMART goal.
• Commit to the time and communication requirement as mutually agreed upon between mentor and student (communication can take the form of in-person meetings, phone/Skype calls, or email exchanges). At a minimum, there should be an in-person meeting once a semester (if safe to do so) and monthly phone or email exchanges.
• Complete survey and feedback forms at various intervals throughout the year.
• Be open-minded, respectful and keep to the expectations that have been set out for the mentor/mentee relationship.

The student must be or have been enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program within Dodge College in the last 5 years and must:

• Be a junior or senior undergraduate or in a graduate program (current students).
• Have a 3.0 GPA in their major (current students).
• Create a SMART goal to work on with a mentor.
• Commit to the time and communication requirement as mutually agreed upon between mentor and student (communication can take the form of in-person meetings, phone/Skype calls, or email exchanges). At a minimum, there should be an in-person meeting once a semester and monthly phone or email exchanges.
• Complete survey and feedback forms at various intervals throughout the year.
• Complete the Student Mentee Application form by the designated deadlines.
• Be open minded, respectful and keep to the expectations that have been set out for the mentor/mentee relationship.

A selection committee comprised of Dodge College representatives will review both mentee applications and mentor profiles. The “matching” process is based on SMART goal(s) and interests of the mentee and the professional experience of the mentor. Mentors may be asked to select their mentee if multiple applications match their qualifications.

Dodge College will notify all applicants of the matching results. Mentees are responsible for making the first contact with their assigned mentor and setting up the initial meeting. In some cases, based on the criteria above and/or a lack of suitable matches, a prospective mentor or mentee may not be matched.