Gaels Go Further: Fueling Future Generations of Gaels, Together

Banner image: Maz Malik ’07, ’10MBA, left, with current and former menteeparticipants of the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs.

When Johnine Clark ’84 began mentoring Krisna Rivera ’26 in 2023 through the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs, their conversations were meant to last just a semester. But as the months passed, they stayed in touch even after the term ended. Rivera sent Clark videos of her opera performances and shared her growing excitement for career opportunities in policy and law. Clark, an attorney with a thriving Maryland practice, found fulfillment in being both a mentor and a sounding board. “When people are considering a law career, it’s so important to have someone who understands—who can share both the good and the bad, and remind you that you’ll get through it,” Clark said.

By December 2024, nearly a year after their official mentorship ended, Clark and Rivera were sitting together at a Washington, D.C., restaurant. Rivera, fresh from a fall internship with the White House’s Agency Liaison team, spoke with excitement about her work helping connect constituents with federal agencies. “She carried herself with such poise and professionalism,” Clark reflected. “Seeing her thrive in such a prestigious environment was a proud moment for me as a mentor.”

For Rivera, the mentorship has been transformative. “Johnine has empowered and motivated me to pursue my biggest dreams,” she said. “Knowing our mentor-mentee bond is strong has given me so much ambition, and I’m grateful to have such an amazing role model in my corner.”

Clark and Rivera’s story is personal, but not uncommon in a University grounded in a culture of connection and support. “Gaels helping Gaels” has always been a part of Iona’s identity. In recent years, the launch of the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs—an initiative designed to strengthen the bonds across generations of Gaels—formalized that long-held tradition.

Students gain insight from Jim Oates ’95, left, chair and alumni sponsor of the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs and president of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors.

Building Gaels Go Further

In 2019, James (Jim) Oates ’95 began championing a vision for deliberately creating lasting alumni connections that went beyond fundraising events. “If you ran into a fellow Gael, you’d swap stories about a night out on North Avenue, and you’d do anything for them,” Oates recalled. “But those run-ins were accidental. It wasn’t easy to find each other.”

Oates wanted to change that, and found alignment with Iona President Seamus Carey, Ph.D., in this idea. Early on, President Carey shared a vision that stuck with him: mentoring should be a cornerstone of the Iona experience. Oates recalled: “It was a big, bold statement. And we said ok, good. Any student who wants a mentor should have one.”

Oates knew that the program’s design would determine its success. After a long career at UBS, he had seen similar programs fade after a burst of enthusiasm, and he wanted this to be different. He knew it needed clear structure, strong branding and a reliable platform to enable Gaels to stay connected year after year. This led to thoughtful matching, ongoing engagement and even offering academic credit for students, weaving mentorship into Iona’s academic framework. “We decided to anchor it with a course where students could earn college credit for engaging in a mentoring relationship,” Oates said. “That really made it unique.”

To help get the program off the ground, Oates and his wife, Monica Oates ’95, made a gift to fund the technology platform behind GaelsConnect, the online hub where students and alumni can find each other, start conversations and build lasting relationships. It was a foundational step that ensured the program had the tools to match its vision.

As the program took shape, Oates turned to another key member of the Iona community, Cathy McCabe ’85, to help lead it. McCabe was the youngest of seven siblings to graduate from Iona, and her family’s history at the University ran deep. McCabe brought over 30 years of experience in financial services and vivid memories of the mentors who shaped her career, so when she was invited to co-chair the program, she didn’t hesitate. “I said, ‘I’m in!’” McCabe recalled. “If this had been around when I was a student, I would have signed up in a heartbeat. And as an alum, what better way to pay it forward than this?”

John DeMelis, right, dean of the LaPenta School of Business, engages in discussion with students during a celebration of the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs.

Launching and Growing a Sustainable Program

In 2021, Gaels Go Further launched as a pilot with a small group of students and alumni. The goal was simple: see what worked, learn quickly and refine the model before expanding.

From the beginning, the program focused on creating intentional matches, pairing students with alumni whose experiences aligned with their goals. It was designed to be iterative; both mentees and mentors were actively involved in shaping the experience. As Oates recalled, “We told participants, you’re not just in a mentoring relationship; you’re helping design the program. What’s working What’s not? What would you change?” This approach energized participants, and by the end of the first year, the working group had grown from nine to 109.

The pilot also tested the course-for-credit structure, giving students a clear framework and built-in accountability for staying engaged. It also provided opportunities to build in unique lessons over time that students can’t always get elsewhere.

AS CATHY MCCABE REFLECTS:

“This program isn’t just about advice—it’s about connection. It’s about learning from real-world experiences, building confidence and expanding their networks in ways that go beyond the classroom. And there’s nothing like that.”

The results exceeded expectations. Many mentor-mentee relationships continued beyond the semester, and alumni shared that the experience had rekindled their own connection to Iona.

Today, more than 2,000 alumni and 1,000 students are registered on the GaelsConnect platform, which facilitates both semester-long mentorships and “flash mentoring” for brief, one-time conversations. Unlike many programs that match mentors and mentees strictly by career field, Gaels Go Further also focuses on the skills students want to develop, such as networking or leadership, and pairs them with alumni who can help them grow in those areas, regardless of industry.

Left: Robert (Bob) DeLuccia ’67, ’79MBA with student mentees. Right: Networking is a cornerstone of the Gaels Go Further experience.

The Power of Connection: Mentorship in Action

The approach behind Gaels Go Further has sparked connections that are not only relevant but also extremely impactful.

BRIDGING DIFFERENT FIELDS
Cathy McCabe ’85 experienced the power of cross-disciplinary connection firsthand with her mentee, Mo Salah ’23—a chemistry major who knew he didn’t want to work in a lab. McCabe, an English major who built a career in financial services, understood how skills can be transferable across fields and was excited to share her experience with Salah, despite their different areas of study. Today, Salah works in executive recruitment for senior leaders in the health field, using his science background in a client-facing role. This fall, Salah will take on the role of mentor himself, continuing the tradition of giving back and supporting the next generation of Gaels.

For McCabe, seeing her mentees succeed has been one of the greatest rewards. At Iona’s 2025 Commencement, she had the special opportunity to hug four of her mentees as they crossed the stage. “I couldn’t miss that chance to celebrate their success.”

OFFERING A FRESH PERSPECTIVE
About a decade after his own graduation, Daniel Correia ’15 joined as a mentor to offer the kind of guidance he wished he’d had. His advice to his mentee, Eduardo Tinoco ’25, was simple but intentional: don’t rush to over-plan, give yourself space to explore and focus on building relationships as much as skills. “I just wanted him to know it’s okay not to have it all figured out,” Correia reflected.

Correia was excited for the opportunity to give back, but didn’t expect how much the experience would give back to him. He came away not only with a strong bond with his mentee, but also a deeper connection to the Iona community, new friendships with fellow mentors and even professional connections that have helped him in his own career in financial services at J.P. Morgan.

“It reminded me why I’m proud to be a Gael,” he shared. “It’s not just about giving advice—it’s about showing up for each other, no matter where we are in our journeys.”

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF GAEL LEADERS
For Robert (Bob) DeLuccia ’67, ’79MBA, a pharmaceutical industry veteran, mentoring was a natural extension of his career at Pfizer, where guiding colleagues was one of the most rewarding aspects of his work. One standout experience in Gaels Go Further was with his mentee, Ava Zanca ’25. When they first met, Zanca’s career focus was broad, and DeLuccia helped her refine her resume, prepare for interviews and strategize her next steps. They’ve stayed in touch since.

“Working with Bob was an incredibly rewarding experience,” Zanca shared. “He helped me better prepare for my MSW program and my future in social work. His mentorship gave me the confidence and clarity to take meaningful steps toward my career goals, and set me up to achieve my dream role in social work in the near future.”

“The key is engagement on both sides,” DeLuccia reflected. “Once a student starts asking questions, they see how much they can get out of it.” For DeLuccia, the reward is twofold: seeing mentees succeed and feeling even more connected to the Iona community that shaped him.

From Left: Iona Trustee Cathy McCabe ’85 and Ava Zanca ’25

Continuing the Tradition of Connection

The success of the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs is a testament to the power of community, mentorship and the enduring bonds between Iona alumni and students. What started as a pilot program has grown into a vibrant network that continues to impact the lives of countless Gaels—whether through long-term relationships or brief, pivotal moments of guidance.

As Jim Oates reflected, “Gaels Go Further is about more than just career guidance. It’s truly about moving each other further. Every Gael has something to offer. Whether it’s industry insight, encouragement or just showing up to listen, these are the experiences that make the Gael community special.”

Now entering its fifth year, Gaels Go Further is poised to continue expanding, connecting more generations of Gaels and helping them reach even greater heights. With every new connection, the community grows stronger, one conversation at a time.

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Voices of Mentorship

“Iona mentees are already excelling and thirsty for more information. As a mentor for two years, I’ve been thrilled to share life lessons to help quench their thirst for success. I encourage students to join the program to maximize the experience. I also encourage alumni to mentor—the mentees are waiting for you.”
-TERRY EDWARDS ’77

“Today’s Iona students display the same energy, focus and desire to succeed as those in the years and decades past. The Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs are an excellent platform to offer guidance to help these students achieve their goals, and provide sorely needed optimism for our future.”
—MICHAEL PAPPAGALLO ’81

“Being an Iona mentor is not only rewarding but it is a humbling experience. Through guiding others, I have learned more than I could ever have shared. My life experiences are only one path to success, but the Iona mentees have reinforced in me that success is found and defined in so many different ways!”
—DR. JACOB JABBOUR ’09

Over 100 mentors and mentees kicked off the fifth year of the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs with an evening of celebration and networking in the LaPenta School of Business Atrium on September 17, 2025.