Iona students are taking important steps toward their dream careers with the help of some familiar faces to the College. Designed to advance students’ personal and professional goals, the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program connects current students with alumni who can help navigate the evolving employment landscape.
The new program, developed as one of President Carey’s strategic initiatives, taps into Iona’s network of over 50,000 alumni across a wide range of industries. The program includes a mixture of both long- term mentorships based upon common career paths as well as “flash mentoring” sessions. The pilot program launched this past fall and is anchored by a two-credit course.
Made possible through financial support from program sponsors Jim Oates ’95 and his wife Monica ’95, Iona is leveraging a new PeopleGrove technology platform called GaelsConnect to support all of the College’s mentoring programs and create greater engagement across the Iona community.
“All colleges rely on their alumni for financial support, but opening our schedules to make time for these students is priceless,” said Jim Oates, a member of the Iona College Alumni Association Board of Directors. “While at Iona,
we walked through many of the same halls as today’s Iona students and faced similar challenges. My fellow alumni and I have many insights, practical advice and encouragement to share to maximize their college experience and set the foundation for a successful professional and personal life. In turn, these students themselves will contribute to a stronger Iona alumni network for years to come. We’re so excited to build upon this new and transformational opportunity.”
At Iona, students are empowered to “Learn Outside the Lines” as they develop relationships that help them see beyond their horizons, find their passions and forge their own paths. The Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program builds upon that promise, emphasizing that as Gaels, students are never alone on their journey. Other Gaels, and friends of the College, have traveled similar paths and can act as guides along the way.
In launching the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program, Iona is also proud to introduce the program’s inaugural director, Colleen Slattery, an accomplished academic and business development professional with over two decades of management experience in higher education. She most recently served as coordinator of Workforce Development Programs at Stony Brook University. Previously, as executive director of the Executive Education Institute, Slattery created and led skill-building seminars and trainings for clients such as Dow Jones & Company, the New York Stock Exchange, KPMG and Citibank, among many others.
Become a mentor and help Iona students and fellow alumni develop and become prepared for their future career path.
GaelsConnect Networking: A type of flash mentoring in which short-term interactions between a mentee and a mentor provide guidance in making informed choices as well as defining and implementing career paths.
Mentoring & Career Exploration Program: Commit to become a dedicated mentor and be matched with a student to provide support and career guidance throughout the academic year.
For any questions or additional information, contact:
Colleen Slattery, Director of Iona College Mentoring Program
(914) 633-2410 or [email protected] or [email protected]
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