Alumni Mentoring Program

The Career Empowerment Opportunity (CEO) Program is an alumni-driven mentorship program that prepares current �鶹ԭ�� students for career success.

Understand the Program

Hear directly from enthusiastic mentor and mentee participants!

An Invaluable Relationship

CEO connects students with �鶹ԭ�� alumni who are experienced in their fields and offers personal and professional development opportunities that prepare students to be career ready on "day one".

Lisette and Marcy — Lisette Bachez '23 and Marcy Reyes '12

�鶹ԭ�� alumni share their experiences, networks, and job opportunities with students through:

one-on-one mentor meetings
facilitated sessions
networking lunches

to help them plan their career path. The benefits are priceless. Students gain access to a regional and national network of industry leaders and a mentor, while developing increased job and social skills that are essential for professional growth.

Interested in Participating or Finding Out More?

These details will help guide you if you'd like a more complete understanding of what it means to be a mentor or mentee.

View All Program Details

Frequently Asked Questions about the CEO Program

One year. The program kicks off during the month of February of the spring semester and will end in February the following year with a few fun events following the last program session during the months of March and April.

You must be a �鶹ԭ�� alum and have experience in the workforce.

You must have 30 credits or more, be a current �鶹ԭ�� student pursuing an undergraduate degree, and have a 2.5 GPA or more.

The mentor must meet with their mentee at a minimum of one time per month virtually or in person. The mentor must also attend the mentor orientation, program opening event, and final celebration. Mentors are also welcome to attend the program sessions designed for their mentee, though this is not required on their part. For more expectations on the program and our program syllabus please see the tabs of our All Program Details section, as well as the Mentor Agreement Form.

The mentee must meet with their mentor at a minimum of one time per month virtually or in person. The mentee must attend all program sessions as stated in the program schedule provided. An example of a program schedule and more details on program expectations, please see the tabs of our All Program Details section, as well as our Mentee Agreement Form.

During the interview process, we ask a series of questions to help determine a great match. We understand that many of our applicants would like to be matched with someone they can relate to or identify with, but we also encourage everyone to keep an open mind. Once a match has been determined, both the mentor and mentee will be informed and connected via email.

Absolutely! We recruit mentors who live in and outside of the State of Rhode Island who are virtual participants in the program. Some students actually prefer a virtual mentor.

Yes! If you would like to mentor more than one student, please indicate this in the mentor application.

Mentor and Mentee Testimonials

“The CEO Program has helped me to not lead with antiquated lenses and allows me to give back to the next generation.” - Sandra Victorino, CAGS in Counseling Mental Health '12

“To me being a mentee means to grow, to learn, to reflect. Not only do I believe this in reference to being a mentee, but to being who I am today. I think that I wouldn’t be who I am without God and without understanding that no matter what, that I still have a lot to learn.” - Summer Brito '23

"Misty Copeland said: 'Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.'" -Richeila Lora '23

Joshua Laguerre — "It has been refreshing serving as Cameron’s mentor. He’s hardworking, passionate and humble. Looking forward to what the future has in store for him." - Joshua C. Laguerre JD '10

"Heraclitus once said, 'Everything flows, and nothing abides; everything gives way and nothing stays fixed,' and so mentorship, like life, encourages movement and evolution. I have confidence that my mentee will actualize her dream plan!" - Pamela Ryan '92

"The CEO Program helped improve my networking skills as well as my ability to build relationships with my peers and �鶹ԭ�� alumni. The program also connected me with a lifelong mentor in my field who eventually offered me an internship:" - Christopher Coates '22

"Anthony has been an eye-opener in this journey of working toward being in the mental health field. His guidance has been monumental, and his ability to create an environment that allows me to express my goals and thoughts has been an experience I'll never forget." - Jamie Lemon '23

"Playing the role of mentor is something that I take as seriously as my work as a psychotherapist...Working with Jamie Lemon has been a delight...I have no doubt about Jamie’s future success, and it has been an honor to be allowed to participate in his process." - Anthony Parente, MA '01

"The CEO Program has allowed me to network and develop friendships throughout my time at �鶹ԭ��. My relationship with my mentor, Joshua Laguerre, has granted me the opportunity to have a greater understanding about the application process to law school." - Cameron Gotauco '23

jonathan fonseca — "Watching the next generation succeed and knowing that I played a part in their journey is like the ultimate high-five from the universe. Giving back to �鶹ԭ�� as a mentor is simply the best!" - Jonathan Fonseca '11

"Having a mentor was awesome! It was great to have another person in my corner giving advice, helping with networking, and simply encouraging me on my journey! Not only did I gain a lot of insight from having a mentor but also became more confident within myself and my skills." - Ariel Dorsey '23

All Program Details

General Expectations

�鶹ԭ�� alumni mentors are paired with students. These relationships are expected to include one-on-one monthly meetings in person and or virtual/phone
Monthly workshops are held on Fridays from 12:30–2:30 pm for students in the program. Guest speakers will present on various topics including goal setting, conflict resolution, digital literacy, personal branding, and more!
Site-based networking lunches on Friday afternoons, called Lunch N' Learns, are held across Rhode Island for students to learn about careers and get an inside look at an organization.

Program Topics

Program sessions will cover the following topics:

CliftonStrengths Assessment: How You Are Uniquely Powerful
Developing Your Emotional Intelligence
Communications Skills
Professional Etiquette
Networking
Leadership
Time Management
Strategic Thinking
Creative Problem-Solving
Self-Care & Managing Stress
Personal Branding
Social Media and Professionalism
Servant Leadership
Community Advocacy
Financial Literacy
Public Speaking on the Job
Resume Building
Interview Skills

Program Calendar (2024-2025)

All program sessions and Lunch n’ Learns will take place on Fridays from 12:30–2:30 pm. Meal cards will be provided. The schedule and locations are subject to change.

Event/Activity	Event Type, Topic, Location	Date	Time
Mentor Orientation 1	In-Person	February 1, 2024	5:30–7:30 pm
Mentor Orientation 2	Virtual	February 2, 2024	8:30–10:30 am
Mentee Orientation	In-Person	February 8, 2024	12:30–2:30 pm
Mentee Orientation	Virtual (if in-person is cancelled)	February 9, 2024	12:30–2:30 pm
Program Opening Event: Clifton Strengths (for Mentors & Mentees)	In-Person	February 23, 2024	3:30–6 pm
Program Session 1	Communication and Problem Solving Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room	March 15, 2024	12:30–2:30 pm
Virtual Program Session 2	Personal Branding & Social Media Professionalism Location: Zoom (virtual)	April 12, 2024	12:30–2:30 pm
Lunch N' Learn	CCAP Site Visit Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room	May 17, 2024	12:30–2:30 pm
Summer Activity	Resume Support Location: Alumni & Visitor Center, Conference Room 402–403	June 7 (in-person)	Schedule a time to meet with Ámbar Rosas. Sign-Up to participate.
Summer Activity	Resume Support	June 21 (Zoom)	Schedule a time to meet with Ámbar Rosas. Sign-Up to participate.
Summer Activity	Interview Skills Location: The Career Development Center	July (TBA)	Schedule a time to meet with the Career Development team. (Use Handshake/Starfish to schedule an appointment.)
Lunch N' Learn	TEN31 Productions Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room	July 19, 2024	12:30–2:30 pm
Summer Activity	Type Focus Personal and Career Assessment Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room	August 16, 2024	12:30–2:30 pm
Program Session 3	Diversity and Inclusion Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room	September 20, 2024	12:30–2:30 pm
Program Session 4	Self-Care and Managing Stress Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room	October 18, 2024	12:30–2:30 pm
Program Session 5	Public Service & Community Advocacy Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room	November 15, 2024	12:30–2:30 pm
Program Session 6	Networking & Career Development Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room	December 6, 2024	12:30–2:30 pm
Program Session 7	Public Speaking on the Job Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room	January 10, 2025	12:30–2:30 pm
Program Session 8	Financial Empowerment Diversity and Inclusion Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room	February 14, 2025	12:30–2:30 pm
CEO Fun Day	TBA	March 21, 2025	TBA
Final Celebration	Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room	April 18, 2025	5:30–7:30 pm

*Please Note: All events and program sessions are in person, unless indicated as virtual. Also, all program sessions and locations are subject to change. Please check back on a regular basis.

Our Funders and Partners

We are proud and appreciative to have the support of these individuals and organizations. They make this program possible and worthwhile to participants in the quality of content they help facilitate.

Our Funders

Pamela L. Mancini '86 and Mark F. Mancini '90
Anne M. DeStefano '66 and Robert DeStefano
The Papitto Opportunity Connection Foundation

Our Partners

The Career Empowerment Opportunity (CEO) Program is proudly funded by the , a non-profit dedicated to supporting Rhode Island's Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community by investing in education, job skills training and entrepreneurial ventures. It is because of the Papitto Foundation that we have been able to provide a $500 career builder grant to every student, in Cohort 4, who completes the CEO Program successfully!

The �鶹ԭ�� Alumni Association is proud to partner with , a local Non-Profit Organization dedicated to providing quality mentoring services and looked to as the statewide mentoring resource.

MENTOR Rhode Island conducts the Mentor and Mentee orientations for the CEO program and provides ongoing support with relationship management using evidence-based best practices for mentoring.

The �鶹ԭ�� Alumni Association is also proud to partner with , whose mission is to engage and connect people through shared experiences that contribute to the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities in the State of Rhode Island.

Apply to be a Mentor or Mentee

Mentee applications are not being accepted at this time.

Mentor applications are not being accepted at this time.

Materials and Resources for Mentors and Mentees

Please complete the following:

Mentor Agreement Form
Mentee Agreement Form
Photo Release Form (for both mentors and mentees)

and then

Review the CEO Program Syllabus (coming soon)

Learn More

Office of Alumni Relations

The Alumni Association proudly serves our 75,000+ graduates of �鶹ԭ�� by providing resources, events and benefits exclusively to our alumni community.

alumni@ric.edu
401-456-8086
Alumni & Visitor Center