"In December 2020, the Affinity Leaders and Learners (ALL) Mentorship Program was launched to provide mentorship opportunities to students from underrepresented communities on Northwestern’s campus. The goal was to create a more tailored experience for students seeking identity-based mentorship that is more personal and impactful, preferably with someone who looks like them and/or has similar life experiences.
The program was planned and launched in collaboration with three of our identity-based alumni clubs, which had been looking to provide more support and guidance to students. Our alumni volunteers provided invaluable ideas, feedback, and promotion of the program. The goal was to allow for both professional and personal support that placed identity at the forefront of how students are navigating campus, career planning, and life.
Feedback from the end-of-program survey highlighted the lack of this type of opportunity before the ALL Mentorship Program's launch, as students were able to connect with professionals in their fields of interest who share their identity and could have direct conversations that were empowering and made their future goals feel more attainable. A few words that came up multiple times from student survey responses were “comfortable,” “authentic,” and “safe.”
Alumni participants were excited to be able to share their experiences and expertise with students who have or will experience some of the challenges they've faced themselves. Overall, we had 456 registrants and matched 186 alumni-to-student pairs in the program's pilot year."
From the Judges
A fun, creative way to showcase graduates in programs who then become mentors for current students and create opportunities to build legacy and impact for the future.
