Alumni-student mentorship program celebrates 2016 mentor-mentees
December 13/2016
On November 8, 2016, Dalla Lana School of Public Health-Public Health Alumni Association Alumni-Student Mentorship Program celebrated a remarkable year of the program, which included 52 mentor-mentee pairs, three in-person events, and many opportunities for mentorship discussions. The event marked the fourth year of the mentorship program and it hosted students and alumni in the Health Sciences Building.
Alumni mentors and student mentees were paired in February 2016 and met over the course of 10 months to discuss career advice, practica and courses, networking and the general “feel” for work in their areas of interest.
At the celebratory event, Alison Crepinsek, a graduate of the Health Promotion Master of Public Health Program and mentor since 2015, was presented with the Outstanding Mentor Award. This is the second year the award was given to an alumnus or alumna who enthusiastically serves as a mentor in the mentorship program and goes beyond expectations to support his/her mentee’s development.
Alison Crepinsek (mentor) and her mentee, Pratik Nair
“Alison has gone above and beyond her role as an alumni mentor to be an adviser, role model and confidant of mine,” wrote Pratik Nair, MPH Health Promotion student and Alison’s mentee, in his thoughtful nomination letter describing Alison’s meaningful contribution to his professional development and the benefits of mentorship.
“At the end of our conversations I never leave with answers, but I do leave with a more nuanced and critical understanding of academic, professional, and public health issues. I can say with a great deal of certainty that Alison has contributed to my growth as a public health practitioner.”
Co-led by DLSPH and the Public Health Alumni Association, the Mentorship Program contributes to the professional development of both student mentees and alumni mentors, with the majority of program participants continuing to report that they find they find the mentorship experience to be rewarding.
Alexandra Piatkowski (mentee) and her mentor, Maegan Prummel
“The Mentorship Program has supported my continued learning following graduation,” said Maegan Prummel, graduate of the Epidemiology Master of Public Health Program and mentor since 2015, at the November event.
“Through this experience, I’ve learned about myself and my field, while also contributing to the learning of a DLSPH student.”
If you are interested in getting involved, the call for student mentees and alumni mentors for the 2017 Alumni-Student Mentorship Program is now out.
CALL FOR MENTORS: 2017 ALUMNI-STUDENT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
The Mentorship Program Committee is looking for Alumni Mentors for the 2017 Program! Being a Mentor is a fantastic opportunity to engage with the school and its talented students, connect with other alumni professionals in the field of public health, and further develop leadership, communication and other skills.
To be a Mentor, you must be a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, or its predecessors, with at least four years of relevant experience developing your career in Public Health. You must also be willing to make a time commitment of at least one communication with your Mentee every eight weeks, for a period of approximately 10 months (~ February to November 2017).
Sign up to be a mentor
Please complete the ‘Mentor Questionnaire’ and send a copy of your CV to the Mentorship Program Committee at public.health@alumni.utoronto.ca by Wednesday, January 4, 2017.
Mentors will be notified mid-January and an Orientation and ‘Meet & Greet’ session for Mentors and Mentees will be held on the evening of Thursday, February 2, 2017, at the DLSPH.
To learn more about the program, check out the DLSPH Mentorship Video.