Beyond Giving Back: A Mutually Beneficial Approach to Alumni-Powered Student Mentorship

At Mentor Collective’s latest webinar, Beyond Giving Back: A Mutually Beneficial Approach to Alumni-Powered Student Mentorship, we came together to explore a powerful idea: mentorship can be the bridge that deepens alumni connections and strengthens institutional relationships. Hosted on June 16, the session brought to life the real-world stories behind thriving mentorship programs and the unexpected ripple effects they generate across institutions and careers.

The Alumni Advantage: More Than a Feel-Good Gesture

“We’re past the days where mentorship was viewed as a ‘nice-to-have,’” said Annemieke Rice, Vice President of Partner Success at Mentor Collective. “When done right, alumni mentorship can be a strategic engine for retention, student belonging, and alumni loyalty.”

What makes alumni mentorship distinct? According to Rice, it’s the built-in relatability.

Students can imagine themselves in their mentor’s shoes—it creates a bridge to both career readiness and institutional pride.

-Annemieke Rice, Vice President of Partner Success at Mentor Collective

Scaling Success: Two Institutional Blueprints

Panelists Gelsey Baez from the University of San Diego (USD), Paula Polglase, and Rose Tribby from James Madison University (JMU) offered a behind-the-scenes look at what sustainable mentorship looks like in practice.

At JMU, Polglase described a tightly integrated model between the alumni and student success offices.

“We didn’t build something separate—we aligned. That alignment is what makes it work,” she explained. “We’re not just recruiting mentors; we’re nurturing long-term advocates.”

Meanwhile, at USD’s Knauss School of Business, Baez emphasized intentional design.

“We set out to build a program that could touch every single student, and that meant leveraging alumni in a way that felt personal and high-impact,” she shared. “Mentors are matched with intention, not just availability.”

Activating Alumni: What Actually Works

Javier Navas Martínez, Senior Partner Success Manager at Mentor Collective, demystified the tactics behind successful mentor recruitment and retention.

“Your best outreach is rooted in relevance,” he advised. “Alumni are more likely to raise their hand when they understand the specific impact they can have. Lead with outcomes. Show them the ripple effect.”

He also underscored the importance of celebrating mentors as contributors, not just volunteers.

“Recognition matters. Whether it’s a spotlight feature or a thank-you email from a mentee, that feedback loop fuels engagement.”

“I Didn’t Expect This to Be So Meaningful”

 A standout moment came when a mentor participant shared their perspective:

“I thought I was just helping a student prep for their job search. I didn’t realize how much I’d reflect on my own journey—and reconnect with my alma mater in the process.”

This insight captured what the panelists agreed was the ultimate differentiator of alumni-powered programs: mutual benefit. Students gain confidence, direction, and social capital. Alumni rediscover purpose, community, and pride.

Lessons from the Q&A: Start Small, Stay Strategic

During the live Q&A, an audience member asked how to get buy-in from institutional leadership.

Polglase responded candidly:

We didn’t start with a thousand mentors. We started with 20. But we tracked outcomes from day one and shared those stories. That’s how we built the case for investment. 

-Paula Polglase, Director of Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the JMU Alumni Association at James Madison University 

Watch the full webinar, or reach out to our team to discuss how to activate alumni at your institution.

Alumni-powered mentorship isn’t just about giving back—it’s about moving forward. And when institutions create space for those relationships to thrive, the impact is exponential.