Alumni Mentoring Program expands

Augustana’s Alumni Mentoring Program has witnessed major growth this fall, as the number of student participants more than doubled from the previous academic year. 

Sanna Strenge, a career and academic planning specialist in the Student Success Center, said the program’s growth comes after lows caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Two years ago, still during the height of COVID-19 and many student programs being solely offered virtually, there were about six students participating,” Strenge said. “Last year, I had about 21 students participating and this year I have 50 students participating.”

Designed for third-year students, the Alumni Mentoring Program began in 2016 and provides students with the opportunity to connect with Augustana alumni in their desired fields.

“Typically, by that point in a student’s trajectory, they have a clearer idea of what major they are pursuing and a career path they are curious about. I pair students with alums who are currently doing something professional that aligns with the student’s career goals,” Strenge said.

The Student Success Center has been working to promote the program in recent months. Strenge said she informs students of the program when they are in a spring First-Year Seminar course, so they become aware of the program’s existence and benefits.

“Augie students are exceptional about taking advantage of unique opportunities that come their way, and I think they naturally see the benefit in a program like this one, “ Strenge said.

Students often benefit from the mentoring program, learning how to network and how their career path might look.

“Students receive first-hand accounts of what their career trajectories might look like in the future and what to prepare for,” Strenge said.

Junior Avery Gilman, a government and sociology double major, said she has enjoyed participating in the program.

“I’ve heard good things from other students about their mentors, and it’s overall really exciting to connect with people who went to Augustana and who are successful individuals in the fields we want to pursue,” Gilman said. “Sanna has done a really great job with the entire program.” 

Gilman said she heard about the program and became a part of it through an email invitation last year. Her mentor is Kayla Eitreim, the president and CEO of Junior Achievement of South Dakota: a non-profit organization that helps prepare young people and students for success. 

Margaret Oberg, coordinator of social media and marketing for Recreational Services, was a mentee in 2019 and is now a mentor in the same program.

“I found it incredibly helpful to meet with my mentor to talk about professional and vocational pursuits, as well as having a connection point with an Augustana alum,” Oberg said.  “I loved, and still love, to hear other peoples’ stories and found it validating to learn my mentor had gone through similar experiences through her undergraduate journey,” Oberg said.

When Strenge reached out to Oberg to consider being a mentor, Oberg said the choice was a no-brainer.

“I am excited to delve into this process not only as a mentor but also as someone who finds great joy in exploring some of these areas with other people,” Oberg said. “I am sure I will learn more about myself through this process, and I am looking forward to that as well.”

Junior Hannah Churchill, a sociology and government double major, was paired with Kadyn Wittman, a South Dakota representative for District 15.

Churchill said she attended the sophomore retreat in 2022 and told Strenge, her Student Success Center adviser, that she was interested in participating in the Alumni Mentoring Program. 

“Sanna sent out an interest form that I filled out over the summer and then she chose my adviser based on my responses in that form,” Churchill said.

Churchill also said that while she has not met her mentor in person yet, her first contact with her mentor was great. She said Wittman was responsive and eager to plan the pair’s first meeting. 

Junior Gavin Marco, an exercise science major, was paired with Zach Barbur, an athletic trainer working in Minneapolis.

“Just kind of being able to connect and get a greater understanding of the field is definitely very helpful. And [my mentor] is very open about communicating,” Marco said.

Marco recommends the Alumni Mentoring Program to all students who are eligible to participate.

“I recommend doing it, honestly, just so then you have an idea of what you’re getting into. You also end up having some great connections,” Marco said.