Mentoring
Since 1990, Senior Professionals have been mentoring Illinois State University students from the Honors Program. The goal of this program is to enhance the college experience of the mentee and provide a gratifying civic involvement opportunity for both the mentor and the mentee. This past spring semester the Senior Professionals Mentoring Program had 40 matches of mentors and mentees in various fields such as Accounting, Agriculture, Economics, Education, Fine Arts, Management and more.
Senior Professionals has more recently become involved with mentoring students from Veterans and Military Services.
Program Overview
The program provides Illinois State University students with local support and professional guidance. This unique inter-generational relationship provides enrichment for both the mentee and mentor.
A number of socials are offered each year which provide opportunities for interaction between mentors and mentees. Socials include a Sandwich Supper, Holiday Potluck, Pizza Party and Annual Dinner. In addition, many mentors and mentees choose to meet one-on-one for coffee, lunch or a campus activity. The main objective is for the pair to establish a comfortable relationship that will be mutually beneficial.
Bolen Awards (Honors Students only)
Each year Senior Professionals offers three $1,000 scholarships to mentees from the Honors Program who have shown an interest in their community. This is in honor of our organization’s founder, Charles Bolen.
Mentoring Program BrochureMentoring Assistance for Veterans and Military Services
ESenior Professionals is available to help ease the on-campus experience for veteran/military-connected students by providing support and professional guidance by Senior Professional members who are veterans. Services may include:
- Sharing personal transition and professional experiences
- Reviewing and critiquing resumes
- Providing mock job interviews and career coaching
- Offering job shadowing opportunities
- Acting as a sounding board for veteran students’ challenges
Veteran mentors would interact one-on-one with veteran/military-connected students when convenient for both parties. Interaction could be face-to-face, by electronic communication and/or by social networking.
If you are interested in seeking assistance or learning more, contact Laura Kowalczyk, Senior Professionals Coordinator, at lakowa2@ilstu.edu or (309) 438-2818.
In collaboration with Veterans and Military Services.