Alumni and students interested in joining the Alumni Mentoring Program, should first review the expectations and requirements.

If you've decided to commit to active participation, you may begin the online application to be a mentor or mentee.

Your application information is thoughtfully reviewed by the WSU Mentoring Coordinator and participants are matched up based off commonalities in their personal and professional profiles.

Once a match is made, the mentor (alumni) and mentee (student) are introduced through a match notification email which also provides some basic information about the pair.

The mentee is asked to make the first contact with the mentor, and following communications are directed by the interests and availability of the mentor/mentee pair.

The WSU Alumni Mentoring Program Handbook provides guidance to help mentors and mentees create positive relationships.

Apply to be a mentor or mentee today!

What is a Mentor?

A mentor facilitates personal and professional growth in an individual by sharing the knowledge and insights that have been learned through the years.

All mentors participating in the program are required to follow and abide by the expectations listed on the mentor agreement form.

A WSU Mentor must be a Winona State University graduate, and must apply using the Mentor application process.

The mentor should be willing to share information about their life and experiences as to assist the mentees with their own career exploration and career decisions.

The mentor will need to commit to 1-2 hours per month in order to participate in this program.

The mentor is responsible for dispensing general career advice and guidance in any form appropriate for the student. The mentor is not responsible to conducting a job search for the student or offering the student an internship or full-time position with the company for which the mentor works. If possible, the mentor may choose to allow the mentee to shadow them on a workday.

Mentor Agreement

I wish to participate as a mentor in the Winona State University Alumni Mentoring Program and therefore agree to the following: 



1. Create or update a relevant LinkedIn profile
2. Connect with my mentee at least once a month (in person if possible).  1-2 hours per month is the commitment.
3. Communicate with and respond to my mentee in a timely manner.
4. Notify my mentee if I cannot meet/connect with them for any reason and reschedule any cancelled meetings. 
5. Be a resource to my mentee between our regular scheduled monthly meetings. 
6. Communicate in a timely manner with program coordinator, Tracy Hale, if I feel uncomfortable or experience any issues or problems during my participation in the program. 
7. I will share resources with my mentee, including, but not limited to: short term career exploration experiences, informational interviews and shadowing experiences as my situation permits. 
8. I am aware the Winona State University Career Services has resources and services for my student mentee to use for additional assistance in their career development. 
9. I will treat all information exchanged as confidential unless both parties agree it can be disclosed to others.

What is a Mentee?

A mentee is an achiever “groomed” for advancement by being provided opportunities to excel beyond the limits of their position.

All mentees participating in this program are required to follow and abide by the expectations listed on the mentee agreement form.

A WSU Mentee must be a current, full-time Winona State University student, and must apply using the Mentee application process.

Mentees should take an active role in the relationship by being prepared to discuss what will be most beneficial to their career development. Mentees should be prepared to ask questions, reflect on their meetings, share their WSU experience with their mentor and show their appreciation for their mentor’s time.

Mentees should understand that a mentor can give general career advice and guidance, and this programs offers networking opportunities as well. A mentee should also understand that it is not the purpose of the program for a mentor to conduct a job search for the mentee, nor to offer the mentee an internship or full-time position.

Mentees should make themselves available to connect with their mentor for a minimum of 1-2 hours per month.

Mentee Agreement

I wish to participate as a mentee in the Winona State University Alumni Mentoring Program and therefore agree to the following:

1. Create or update a relevant LinkedIn profile
2. Connect with my mentor at least once a month (in person if possible). 
3. Understand that it is my responsibility as the mentee to initiate communication with my mentor at least once a month and to make sure I am communicating with and responding to my mentor in a timely manner. 
4. Notify my mentor if I cannot meet/connect with my mentee for any reason and to reschedule any cancelled meetings. 
5. Communicate in a timely manner with program coordinator, Tracy Hale, if I feel uncomfortable or experience any issues or problems during my participation in the program. 
6. Be an active participant in my career development, working to establish mentoring goals that align with my career interests. 
7. Adhere to the Winona State University Student Standards of Behavior and Code of Conduct. 
8. Treat all information exchanged as confidential unless both parties agree it can be disclosed to others.
9. Be available 1-2 hours per month to connect with your mentor.

The Alumni Mentoring Handbook provides resources to help alumni and students get to know each other and reap the most benefits from their mentor/mentee relationship. These resources include:

• suggested activities
• listening tips
• advice for giving feedback