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Women's Leadership and Mentor Program

The Women’s Leadership and Mentor Program at the Oakland University School of Business empowers female-identifying students with access to professional role models who can offer valuable perspective and inspiration to students as they navigate from college student to business professional.

The program runs during the academic year, beginning with a kick-off in early fall and a luncheon in spring. Between those two events, mentors and mentees meet once a month in the format that works best for the pair. Meetings can be in person, by phone or video call. Students participating in the program will have additional opportunities for leadership and personal development. Activities and discussions might include job search and interview advice, resume review, job shadowing or whatever the pair determines best meets the needs of the mentee. The goal is for the student to develop confidence and cultivate a resource as she graduates to her first professional position.

Student learning outcomes include:

  • Learn how to build an effective professional relationship.
  • Set goals for personal, professional and leadership growth.
  • Learn how to ask for and receive feedback.
  • Increase one's self-confidence and potential as a leader.

Guiding promising young business professionals from college to career offers rewards for mentor and mentee. Sharing your experience and knowledge impacts your mentee’s future as well as your own. In addition to the satisfaction of boosting a future colleague, as a mentor you’ll strengthen your coaching and leadership skills. A Sun Microsystems study shows mentors are six times more likely to be promoted than employees who don’t mentor.

Program Commitment

  • Attend both the fall kick-off event and the spring appreciation luncheon
  • Timely communication with the program coordinator and mentee
  • Open communication with your mentee
  • Six meetings with your mentee between October and March (face-to-face, phone or video chat)

Interested in learning more or getting involved?
Complete and submit the Mentor Application form or contact Tiffany LeDonne-Smith at [email protected]. Mentors selected for the program will be contacted in the summer.

Mentors are important to career success. Professional mentorship offers a wealth of advantages. From one-on-one conversations offering advice on career-related questions to polishing your resume, forming a professional bond with someone who has the experience you aspire to have can lead to a powerful career advantage.

Program Commitment

  • Attend both the fall kick-off event and the spring appreciation luncheon
  • Timely communication with the program coordinator and mentor
  • Open communication with your mentor
  • Mandatory Attendance at the Fall Mentee Meeting (November)
  • Mandatory Reflection Meeting with the program coordinator (in February)
  • Six meetings with your mentor between October and March (face-to-face, phone or video chat)

Spots are limited, so please complete and submit the Mentee Application form for consideration.

Mentees selected for the program will be contacted in the summer.

School of Business Administration

Elliott Hall, Room 427
275 Varner Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4485
(location map)