Alumni Mentoring Program

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CEO: Career, Empowerment, Opportunity Alumni Mentoring Program logo

The Career Empowerment Opportunity (CEO) Program is an alumni-driven mentorship program that prepares current 18JAV students for career success.

Understand the Program

Hear directly from enthusiastic mentor and mentee participants!
 

An Invaluable Relationship

CEO connects students with 18JAV 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

18JAV 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 18JAV alum and have experience in the workforce.

You must have 30 credits or more, be a current 18JAV 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

Sandra Victorino

“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

Summer Brito

“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

Richeila Lora

"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

Pamela Ryan

"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

Christopher Coates

"The CEO Program helped improve my networking skills as well as my ability to build relationships with my peers and 18JAV alumni. The program also connected me with a lifelong mentor in my field who eventually offered me an internship:" - Christopher Coates '22

Jamie Lemon

"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

Anthony Parente

"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

Cameron Gotauco

"The CEO Program has allowed me to network and develop friendships throughout my time at 18JAV. 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 18JAV as a mentor is simply the best!" - Jonathan Fonseca '11

student headshot

"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

  • 18JAV 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.

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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

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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/ActivityEvent Type, Topic, LocationDateTime
Mentor Orientation 1In-PersonFebruary 1, 20245:30–7:30 pm
Mentor Orientation 2VirtualFebruary 2, 20248:30–10:30 am
Mentee OrientationIn-PersonFebruary 8, 202412:30–2:30 pm
Mentee OrientationVirtual (if in-person is cancelled)February 9, 202412:30–2:30 pm
Program Opening Event: Clifton Strengths (for Mentors & Mentees)In-PersonFebruary 23, 20243:30–6 pm
Program Session 1Communication and Problem Solving

Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room		March 15, 202412:30–2:30 pm
Virtual Program Session 2Personal Branding & Social Media Professionalism

Location: Zoom (virtual)		April 12, 202412:30–2:30 pm
Lunch N' LearnCCAP Site Visit

Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room		May 17, 202412:30–2:30 pm
Summer ActivityResume 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 ActivityResume SupportJune 21 (Zoom)Schedule a time to meet with Ámbar Rosas. Sign-Up to participate.
Summer ActivityInterview 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' LearnTEN31 Productions

Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room		July 19, 202412:30–2:30 pm
Summer Activity Type Focus Personal and Career Assessment

Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room		August 16, 202412:30–2:30 pm
Program Session 3Diversity and Inclusion

Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room		September 20, 202412:30–2:30 pm
Program Session 4Self-Care and Managing Stress

Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room		October 18, 202412:30–2:30 pm
Program Session 5Public Service & Community Advocacy

Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room		November 15, 202412:30–2:30 pm
Program Session 6Networking & Career Development

Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room		December 6, 202412:30–2:30 pm
Program Session 7Public Speaking on the Job

Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room		January 10, 202512:30–2:30 pm
Program Session 8Financial Empowerment

Diversity and Inclusion

Location: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining Room		February 14, 202512:30–2:30 pm
CEO Fun DayTBAMarch 21, 2025TBA
Final CelebrationLocation: Donovan Dining Center, Faculty Center, South Dining RoomApril 18, 20255:30–7:30 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.

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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

Papitto Opportunity Connection logo

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!

Mentor Rhode Island

The 18JAV 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.

Leadership Rhode Island logo

The 18JAV 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.

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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.

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Office of Alumni Relations

The Alumni Association proudly serves our 75,000+ graduates of 18JAV by providing resources, events and benefits exclusively to our alumni community.