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Judy Genshaft Honors College Mentorship Program

Mentors and mentees in Judy Genshaft Honors College

What Is the Judy Genshaft Honors College Mentorship Program?

The Judy Genshaft Honors College (JGHC) Mentorship Program pairs Honors College students with accomplished alumni and professionals across a wide range of fields — medicine, law, business, nonprofit leadership, education, research, engineering, the arts, and more. Through one-on-one mentoring, students gain real-world perspective, career clarity, and meaningful connections that extend beyond the classroom and graduation.

Benefits for Students

4 Honors students hold up folders
  • Personalized mentoring from a professional or alum in the student's area of interest
  • Career insight and real-world perspective from someone who has navigated the path the student is considering
  • Goal-setting support through structured conversations and a simple development plan
  • A unique life-work perspective — a one-on-one conversation in which the student learns their mentor's full story: their path, their pivots, and the lessons that shaped them
  • A lasting Honors network connection that extends beyond the student's time on campus
  • Possible site visits, conferences in the student's field, or workplace exposure 

The program is designed to provide opportunities for meaningful engagement between the student and their mentor. The program schedule is manageable, requiring only an estimated 8-10 hours over the course of the semester. The program includes:

  • Three mentorship workshops (one in-person + two hybrid/using Canvas modules)
  • At least three meetings with a mentor over the semester (about once per month)
  • Brief written reflection after each meeting, end-of-semester reflection, and short surveys
  • Kickoff event and closing celebration

Who Are the Mentors?

Honors student and mentor sit together at a table

Mentors are Judy Genshaft Honors College alumni and community professionals who have volunteered to give back by sharing their time, experience, and networks with current Honors students. They belong to diverse fields, such as:

  • Medicine, health care, and public health
  • Law, policy, and public service
  • Business, finance, and entrepreneurship
  • Nonprofit and community leadership
  • STEM, engineering, and technology
  • Research and academia
  • Education and the arts

The program is designed to provide opportunities for meaningful engagement between mentors and mentees. The program schedule is manageable, requiring only an estimated 5-7 hours over the course of the semester. The program includes:

  • One orientation workshop (one hour virtual, at start of semester)
  • At least three meetings with a mentee over the semester (about once per month)
  • End-of-semester feedback and optional in-person reception at the Judy Genshaft Honors College

The Matching Process

Students and mentors are matched with intentionality based on academic interests, career goals, professional field, and communication preferences. Participants will not be randomly assigned — the Judy Genshaft Honors College reviews the applications carefully and makes thoughtful matches to give participants the best possible experience.

A brief check-in after the first meeting ensures the match is working well. If either party feels the pairing needs adjustment, an attempt will be made to mediate these concerns.

Apply for the JGHC Mentorship Program

Students

Applications open each semester. To apply, complete a short online form describing your interests, goals, and preferred fields. Space is limited — apply early.

Alumni and Professionals

Interested in mentoring a Judy Genshaft Honors College student? We'd love to hear from you. We value your experience and perspective and believe it can make a real difference.

Program outcomes

The program launched in spring 2026 with a pilot cohort of 20 matches. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive:

  • The vast majority of student participants rated the program as a valuable experience that would shape their future lives and careers.
  • 100% of mentors reported a positive overall experience.

Students described the program as transformative for clarifying goals, normalizing uncertainty about the future, and gaining practical insight from people who once stood exactly where they stand now. One student directly credited the program with helping them secure a summer research opportunity, and another, with a broader understanding of what was possible in their field, navigating internships, and beyond.

Questions?

Contact the JGHC Mentorship Program Coordinator Dr. Mark Lane-Holbert.