SUNY Ulster Alumni/Student Mentor Program

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If you are interested in the Alumni/Student Mentor Program please click here to print the combined information form. Complete and return the appropriate one page Information Form (Alumni or Student). Completed applications may be mailed to Ulster Community College Foundation, PO Box 557, Stone Ridge, NY 12484, faxed to (845) 687-5275, or emailed to roserb@sunyulster.edu.

Reception to kickoff our
Fall 2013-Spring 2014 SUMS program:

Friday, October 25, 2013
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Howard C. St. John Conference Center, Clinton Hall

RSVP by October 24th by calling 687-5293,
or email roserb@sunyulster.edu.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Burnelle Roser, the Assistant Director of the Ulster Community College Foundation at (845) 687-5293 or Mindy Kole, Instructor of Business at SUNY Ulster at (845) 688-6041 or by email at kolem@sunyulster.edu.

Welcome to SUMS (SUNY Ulster Mentor Success). Our goal is to work with SUNY Ulster alumni to “adopt” a SUNY Ulster student to provide valuable information, guidance, encouragement and support to the student.

We match students with mentors to best match an alumni’s academic and professional experience with a student who has similar goals.
Each fall, student and alumni mentors are paired and introduced at an opening ceremony in September.
The September event includes an explanation of expectations and timeframe of the program, the goals and objectives over the next eight months, and provides the initial networking opportunity for the alumni and the student to get acquainted in a face to face setting.
The program concludes with a closing award ceremony and Mentor Appreciation reception in April.
The mentoring relationships are intended to:
- Be professional in nature
- Help students make the transition from an academic environment to the world of work
- Offer an opportunity for professional development, networking and an exchange of ideas between experienced professionals and the next generation
- Provide encouragement and ideas to increase academic achievemen
- Provide shadowing opportunities to observe alumni in the workplace
- Offer resume advice

Highlights of the SUMS Program

On Wednesday, March 6, 2013 we welcomed guest speaker:

Joan Lawrence Bauer
Joan Lawrence-Bauer
Director of Communications and Resource Development, RUPCO, Kingston and member of the Business Advisory Council, SUNY New Paltz.

Joan’s presentation, The POWER of a Mentor! in School, Entrepreneurship and LIFE!, discussed how a mentor can help students and how to find one.

This event was co-sponsored by the Darlene L. Pfeiffer Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and SUMS: SUNY Ulster Mentor Success program.
The event was attended by alumni, students, faculty, staff and community members. Click here for the event flyer.

Mentors and Mentees have ...

Attended a workshop on campus with speaker Frank DeRaffele, networking expert, author, entrepreneur and executive with BNI (Business Network International).
Stepped outside their comfort zone and conquered fear of public speaking during an interview with Deborah Kaufman, SUNY Ulster's Coordinator of Marketing and Media, on WKNY Radio.
Communicated through in-person meetings, by phone, and email.
Shared tips on organizing and prioritizing course work, and set short-term goals (improve grades in a once difficult subject), mid-term goals (discuss what four year college to attend), and long-term goals (discuss plan to start a business).
Discussed resources to learn more about how to establish a small business and tax reporting requirements such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Chamber of Commerce, and IRS websites.
Attended the Entrepreneur Extraordinaire Speaker Series. Darlene Pfeiffer talked about her experience as an Entrepreneur and Owner of two Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises. It was an incredible entrepreneurial story of Darlene's journey from being a TWA flight attendant to the first female KFC franchise owner in the Country!
Turned in perfect papers because they were proof read by a second pair of eyes.
Shared college experiences (past and present) on Facebook.
Gained valuable experience to include on their resumes.

Here is what students who have participated in SUMS are saying…

“I really found it helpful in some ways that I wasn’t expecting. My mentor is a really supportive person. Even though I was assigned to him based on my major of study, my experience went beyond that. He helped me a lot with my application essays, while I was applying for scholarships and for colleges. We met several times, more like informal meetings. Most of the time we communicated via Facebook, and we still do. He is really supportive, and cheers me up when I get upset with all that is required of a college student. When I was confused about my portfolio, his advice helped me focus my attention and choose my pieces. It was a pleasure to participate in this program, and I am very sure that I will keep in contact with my mentor for a long time.”

“Things have been going well, and I am really happy to be in the program and it has been helpful to me. The most important aspect of the program has been having someone to talk to, who is professionally minded, and yet not directly a part of my work or private life. Just to be honest and have someone who is genuinely interested in helping me, is a great boost to my confidence, and helps me align my thoughts with my actions. My mentor is “mad cool.”

“One of my expectations had been to get help in learning how to present myself to potential employers. My mentor has worked with me on my resume and has made a few significant suggestions, which I have implemented. My mentor has given me some feedback about what is important in structuring a resume and what type of information an employer might be looking for. I look forward to more discussions with my mentor about a variety of topics that interest me regarding my major and career goals.”

Don't Wait! Join us today.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

SUMS Resources: