OHIO Mentoring and Coaching Connections: Student Resources

Students can take advantage of mentoring and coaching opportunities with alumni and others through OHIO's Mentoring and Coaching Connections.

OHIO’s Mentoring and Coaching Connections is a key initiative within the President’s Dynamic Strategy’s Engage Pillar, creating an inclusive mentoring and coaching framework to facilitate student-alumni engagement.

OHIO Mentoring and Coaching Connections Handbook

• Core Attributes in Action
• Making Connections Matter
• Core Expectations for Mentoring Success

Building Our Bobcat Legacy

OHIO’s Dynamic Strategy Engage Pillar identified the desire to facilitate “the opportunity to build on (OHIO’s) strengths to capture broader distinction as a university where students will connect beyond the boundaries of campus with alumni and partners who prepare them for ultimate success.”

Specifically, the Engage Pillar Strategy #3 includes the first two actions:

• Action 1 – Review existing alumni mentorship programs and build on successful models to significantly increase the number of alumni involved in student mentorship.
• Action 2 – Build a robust network of Bobcat alumni willing to connect students with professionals and opportunities in their chosen career field.

To develop a framework for mentoring and coaching success throughout a student’s experience at OHIO, we extensively engaged students and initiated sessions with leaders across campus to learn about current involvement and desires for alumni mentoring, life and leadership coaching, and alumni student connections. We also examined the literature and research on best practices and standards and investigated programs at other universities and some industries. Through our research, our listening, and our survey of our partners, we have discovered approaches best suited to today’s students and developed ideas for programs that can enrich and engage student mentoring, coaching and alumni engagement experiences. We also have learned about many current programs that are already enriching and enhancing student trajectories and have brainstormed with individuals throughout OHIO about how we can deepen the engagement between students and alumni through mentoring and coaching—from freshman year through graduate and professional school.

Among the big ideas that emerged from our discovery activities:

• Students need multiple entry points, specifically group-based and class-based activities rather than reliance on traditional 1:1 mentoring. Instead, we’ll meet students where they’re comfortable, ie. Large Group Virtual Mentoring Communities and Small Group Mentoring and Coaching Circles.
• Curricular integration is important: Our research indicates that students prefer mentoring opportunities integrated into credit-bearing courses and experiences. We also recognize faculty involvement in aligning courses to support mentoring and coaching initiatives where possible. Faculty and staff also need support and opportunities such as faculty learning communities centered around mentoring and coaching.
• MCC Core Attributes and cultural change: Our mentorship framework is built on a foundation of ethical excellence and authentic relationships. Every connection we make, every conversation we have, is guided by our core values and professional standards. These aren't just words on a page – they're the heartbeat of our Bobcat community. This is also the foundation of a cultural change at OHIO, building on work that’s already been done toward a unified mentoring and coaching strategy paramount to creating a sustainable ecosystem.

Dr. Dwan Robinson, Associate Professor of Educational Administration, Patton College of Education

Dr. Amy Taylor-Bianco, Professor of Management, College of Business

Core Attributes in Action

Life and Leadership, Appreciatively Designed 

So, let’s put the core attributes into action. That's where our appreciatively designed life and leadership framework comes in. Think of it as your roadmap for turning these OHIO attributes into pathways for you to make a real-world impact. This isn't just another program -- it's a journey that will adapt and grow with you.

Here's how your journey will unfold -- and remember, this isn't a linear path. You will be able to choose to engage through multiple pathways and access varied entry-points into mentoring and coaching experiences.

These experiences might include:

• Virtual large group mentoring communities
• Small group mentoring circles
• Group coaching days
• One-on-one mentoring and coaching relationships, as needed
• Course or cohort based mentoring experiences
• Summer enrichment and training programs
• Alumni-led networking events
• Professional development workshops
• Simple conversations with alumni

In addition, it’s possible that you will cycle through various iterations and phases of alumni student mentoring and coaching experiences multiple times as you grow, and as your goals evolve

Designing Your OHIO Journey

Every great journey starts with a single step – but it helps to envision where you're heading! Let's break down how to create a mentoring experience that's uniquely yours.

Begin with the End in Mind

Before diving in, take a moment to think about where you want to go. What's your ideal outcome? Maybe it's:

• Charting your path through life and leadership experiences
• Building a powerful personal and professional network
• Landing your dream job
• Developing specific skills
• Finding your career direction
• Making valuable contributions to your communit
• Making a difference in your field, your community, society

Understanding the OHIO MCC Attributes

Think of the OHIO attributes as your superpowers. Here's how to activate them throughout your journey.

Core Expectations for Mentoring Success

OUTREACH: Building Authentic Connections

Mentee Commitments:

• Actively engage in the Bobcat community through events and networking opportunities.
• Maintain regular communication with your mentor.
• Participate in both virtual and in-person mentoring activities.
• Share your OHIO journey and aspirations openly.

Mentor Commitments:

• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for your mentee.
• Share relevant professional experiences and OHIO success stories.
• Foster meaningful connections within your industry network.
• Maintain consistent availability for your mentee.

HUMILITY: Growing Together

Mentee Commitments:

• Approach the relationship with an open mind and eagerness to learn.

Respect diverse perspectives and experiences.

• Accept constructive feedback graciously.
• Ask questions and acknowledge areas for growth.

Mentor Commitments:

• Listen actively without judgment.

Acknowledge that learning is mutual and ongoing.

• Respect cultural differences and varied viewpoints.