MPA Alumni Mentor Program

Carolina MPA alumni are a critical part of the success of the program. Frequently, alumni offer paths to internships/practicums or even employment. Alumni connect naturally with each other and stay in touch throughout their careers.

The MPA Alumni Mentor Program facilitates those connections in a more formal way by matching current MPA students with MPA alumni in a mentor/mentee relationship. Any student can apply to be a mentee. Matching occurs each year and the application typically opens in June with matches announced in July.

A Mentor is any Alumni:

    • Share accumulated knowledge and wisdom
    • Support MPA students
    • Enhance leadership and interpersonal communication skills
    • Gain fresh perspectives from others
    • Support the MPA program by giving back to current students

A Mentee is any current Student looking to:

    • Build MPA community relationships that enhance learning and growth
    • Test ideas and gain insight on professional roles and opportunities
    • Gain experience with professional networking
    • Increase self-confidence and communication skills

Expectations and Responsibilities:

    • The mentee will initiate meetings, prepare agenda items, and complete any other pre-meeting work
    • The mentor will answer questions and take a personal interest in providing guidance, encouragement, and support to the mentee
    • Both mentor and mentee will commit to remain points of contact for one another throughout the academic term, August – May. While the cadence and format for communication is set by each pair, it is suggested that mentor and mentee agree to connect on a monthly basis.

As a participant, mentors and mentees will receive a bi-monthly Alumni Mentor Program Digest filled with resources, MPA program updates and event, and tips to support conversations and mentor and mentee’s continued professional development.

How to Apply:

Be on the lookout for the next time applications open! We will email all students regarding applications.