The College of Education and Health Professions recently kicked off its new Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP) at an event on campus, allowing students and alumni to connect in person.

The program was created to build strong connections between students and alumni and help students navigate their professional journeys.

The "September Social" at Carnall Hall matched the campus' energy, which was buzzing before the first home football game. Mascot Sue E. was on hand to ham it up with guests.

Everyone had previously met on a Zoom networking call, but the social event offered area mentors and mentees the chance to get better acquainted.

"We wanted our participants to meet college leadership and continue building the meaningful relationships that are at the heart of our program," said Mary Keith, director of career initiatives in the college.

College alumni and students were matched based on their academic and career backgrounds. The program currently has 72 students and 64 alumni mentors.

The Alumni Mentoring Program was created as part of the college's WE CARE strategic plan. Dean Kate Mamiseishvili said the program provides crucial support and real-world insights to students preparing to begin their careers while simultaneously strengthening alumni bonds with the college.

Daena Barroso-Martinez, a registered nurse at Community Clinic in Northwest Arkansas, and Reagan Rigsbee, a sophomore in the college who plans to be a nurse anesthetist, had already exchanged a few emails before the event. The in-person meetup solidified their connection, and they were laughing together within minutes. Barroso-Martinez graduated from the college's Eleanor Mann School of Nursing in December 2020.

"She has given me really good advice already," said Rigsbee, just before the two posed for a photo together.

Lincoln School District Superintendent Mary Ann Spears, who earned two degrees from the college, said she wanted to participate in AMP to positively impact aspiring educators and, ultimately, the teaching profession.  

"Growing the teacher pipeline in Arkansas is crucial," she said. "I want to do my part to help mentor future teachers while they're still in college."

Spears' mentee couldn't attend the event, but the longtime superintendent visited with first-year elementary education students Addison Blair and Linden Humphrey.

They peppered her with questions about classroom teaching versus leading at the administrative level.

Blair noted, "I want to learn more about how to succeed in this program and in this field, and I will never pass up the chance to learn from those who came before me."

Humphrey said she had no prior connections at the U of A, so she's grateful that the mentorship program will offer access to experienced graduates who can help her navigate this new chapter and whom she can rely on in the future.

Among mentors is also small business owner Patrick Randall, an alumnus from the college's exercise science program. He took a winding career path and then decided a few years ago to open Boulders and Brews, a rock-climbing gym close to the U of A campus.

Randall shared that he struggled in college and worked hard to graduate. He almost deleted the email asking if he'd like to be a mentor, but something kept drawing him back. He decided his younger self would have appreciated a mentor like him — someone who understands classroom struggles and might want to connect with the outdoors as a way to grow.

Alumni can choose among three mentorship options depending on their availability and preference. They can help students with tasks like reviewing resumes, offering interview tips, providing job shadowing opportunities and offering insights into their chosen fields.

Visit the Alumni Mentoring Program website for more information about the program.