The Alumni of Color Mentoring Initiative provides students the opportunity to network with, learn from and share feedback with alumni of color. Additionally, this mentoring initiative also provides alumni of color with the opportunity to give back to the campus community in a transformational way that can help shape students’ academic and personal success.

Being a student of color at a predominantly white institution and in a rural environment can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation, and this can create challenges with accessing social and cultural capital, which can affirm students’ identities in academic, social, personal and career spaces. As such, this mentoring initiative pairs students of color with alumni in professions that the student mentees have expressed an interest in.

And finally, Alumni and Parent Engagement actively partners with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to ensure the success of this mentoring initiative.

Mentor Expectations

In order to be an effective and transformational mentor with the Alumni of Color Mentoring Initiative, we have the following expectations:

  1. Meaningfully communicate with your mentee at least once or twice each month. Means of communication include phone, Google Meet or Zoom.
  2. Participate in the Alumni of Color Mentoring Initiative Discussion Series that will take place once-a-month via email, Google Meet or Zoom.
  3. Attend the Alumni of Color Mentoring Initiative Weekend events (TBA).
    *The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion provides travel assistance for alumni who 1) have graduated within 10 years and 2) are driving within the regional area. For alumni who will be flying to campus for this mentoring initiative, support for 50 percent of the airfare into John Glenn International Airport and an escort to campus is provided. 
  4. Use your voice and presence as a recruiter for the Alumni of Color Mentoring Initiative.

Mentee Expectations

Mentees in the Alumni of Color Mentoring Initiative also have expectations to ensure the success of the mentoring relationship and program:

  1. Communicate and engage with your mentor at least once or twice each month. Means of communication include phone, Google Meet or Zoom.
  2. Participate in the Alumni of Color Mentoring Initiative Discussion Series that will take place once-a-month via email, Google Meet or Zoom.
  3. Attend the Alumni of Color Mentoring Initiative Weekend events (TBA).
  4. Use your voice and presence as a recruiter for the Alumni of Color Mentoring Initiative.

Get In Touch

If you're interested in participating in the AOC Mentoring Initiative or have questions, please contact Sasha Fanny-Holston ‘11 via email at holstons@kenyon.edu. You may also contact the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion directly via email at odei@kenyon.edu.