The Student-to-Alumni Mentoring Program at Michigan Public Health connects current students with alumni mentors for structured career guidance, professional development, and networking support.

Through one-on-one mentoring, students have the opportunity to explore career paths, strengthen professional skills, and build meaningful connections within the Michigan Public Health alumni community. The program is designed to make alumni connections more accessible and to help students build the confidence, relationships, and insight they can carry into their public health careers.

The program is open to current Michigan Public Health students and Michigan Public Health alumni who are interested in serving as mentors.

Both mentors and mentees must complete the appropriate sign-up form to participate.

Mentors and mentees are paired one-on-one based on information shared during the sign-up process, including academic background, degree program, career interests, professional experience, and mentoring goals.

Students may also have an opportunity to indicate interest in working with specific mentors during the matching process. While specific matches cannot be guaranteed, program coordinators use all available information to create thoughtful pairings.

Once matches are finalized, program coordinators facilitate a formal introduction to help each mentor-mentee pair begin the relationship.

Mentors and mentees are expected to connect for approximately 1–3 hours per month. This may include one-on-one meetings, phone or video calls, email exchanges, or other forms of communication.

Each pair should discuss their preferred communication style, meeting format, and availability at the beginning of the mentoring relationship.

At minimum, mentor-mentee pairs are expected to connect once per month during the formal program period.

The program typically runs during the academic year. Current program dates, deadlines, and event details can be found on the Home page.

Mentors support their mentee’s professional development by:

• Sharing insights from their academic, professional, and personal career journey

• Discussing career paths, challenges, successes, and lessons learned

• Helping mentees clarify goals and brainstorm next steps

• Offering feedback, encouragement, and perspective

• Communicating regularly and responding in a timely manner

• Helping create a respectful and supportive mentoring environment

Mentors are not expected to have all the answers. Their role is to be a thoughtful guide, sounding board, and source of support.

Mentees are expected to take an active role in the mentoring relationship by:

• Initiating communication with their mentor

• Scheduling meetings and confirming logistics

• Preparing questions, topics, or goals for each conversation

• Sending follow-up notes or next steps after meetings

• Communicating regularly and responding in a timely manner

• Meeting or communicating with their mentor at least once per month

Mentees are encouraged to reflect on what they hope to gain from the program and to share those goals with their mentor early in the relationship.

Resources for each meeting during the program can be found under the Meetings tab. Additional resources are available under the Resources tab.

The program provides various resources, including:

• Structured meeting guides and discussion themes.

• Access to mentorship resources via the Mentorship Meetings and Program Resources tabs.

• Staff support for any questions or concerns.

No. The provided meeting guides and discussion themes are optional resources meant to support your mentoring relationship.

Mentors and mentees are welcome to adapt the structure, choose different topics, or take the relationship in the direction that feels most useful. We encourage each pair to discuss their goals early and decide together how they would like to use their time.

The sign-up form for mentors and students opens at the beginning of the school year. Keep an eye on your email and the program's website for the link and additional instructions.

If you miss the sign up period, please email us at sph.mentorship@umich.edu. 

Yes, while the formal program runs from September to March, mentors and mentees are encouraged to continue their relationship if they find it mutually beneficial.

The Student-to-Alumni Mentoring Program is intended to support professional growth, career exploration, networking, and community-building. Mentors are not expected to provide job placements, internships, clinical supervision, academic advising, therapy, or emergency support. If a student needs assistance beyond the scope of mentoring, program staff can help connect them with appropriate campus or SPH resources.

For additional questions or support throughout the program, please contact sph.mentorship@umich.edu.