Alumni-Student Mentoring Program
The College of Social Work Alumni Association (SWAA) Alumni-Student Mentoring Program matches current College of Social Work students with alumni to promote purposeful one-on-one relationships between members of these populations.
Mentors (College of Social Work Alumni) and mentees (current students) are paired from January 2026 to May 2026. Mentors and mentees will interact during the program (once per month at a minimum) to discuss a variety of topics and participate in activities intended to help the mentee work toward their academic and career goals. In order for the college to ensure mentor/mentee matches are progressing appropriately, achievement of program milestones (meetings, etc.) must be logged by the student mentee.
Although mentors and mentees may utilize any appropriate communication mechanism (e.g., email, phone call, text message) and meeting modality (e.g., in-person, Zoom, phone call), shared expectations regarding communication and meetings must be agreed upon during the first meeting and formally documented via the Mentor/Mentee Agreement Form.
If desired, mentors and mentees are welcome to stay in contact after the program is officially over.
Who Should Participate?
You should consider applying to be an alumni mentor if:
- You are an alumnus of the UK College of Social Work and would like to be more connected to the college.
- You want to make a difference in a student’s life and are willing to interact with your student mentee often enough for completion of all program milestones (which include meeting once per month at a minimum) and to provide networking and other opportunities as appropriate.
You should consider applying to be a student mentee if:
- You are a current student in the UK College of Social Work.
- You want to learn more about your future career, and have the support of a mentor in working toward your future professional goals.
- You are willing to interact with your alumni mentor often enough for completion of all program milestones (which include meeting once per month at a minimum).
Applications for Spring 2026 are now closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Mentoring pairs must commit to a five-month mentoring relationship, from January 2026 to May 2026. Participants are expected to attend a Virtual Launch Orientation at the start of the program and a Virtual Wrap-Up at the end of the program.
- Alumni mentors and student mentees should develop a working relationship and must interact often enough to complete all program milestones, which include meeting once per month at a minimum. Mentors and mentees may have more contact if agreed upon by the pair. Mentees must log completion of program milestones. Pairs will agree upon shared expectations regarding communication and meetings via the Mentor/Mentee Agreement Form.
- More specific information regarding program milestones will be provided to mentors and mentees via a program handbook. Each month, pairs who complete all milestones due during that month will be entered to win College of Social Work swag!
- In addition to the above-mentioned regular interactions between mentors and mentees, upon conclusion of the program, all participants should complete a post-program survey, responses to which will be taken into consideration for future program planning.
- Alumni mentors must be graduates of a University of Kentucky College of Social Work degree program.
- As well, alumni mentors should want to make a difference in a student’s life, and should understand and have sufficient capacity to agree to the time commitment as described above.
- Those interested in participating as an alumni mentor should complete an application.
- Student mentees must be current students in a University of Kentucky College of Social Work degree program.
- As well, student mentees should want to engage with and receive support form an alumni related to the student’s academic and career goals. Student mentees should understand and have sufficient capacity to agree to the time commitment as described above.
- Those interested in participating as a student mentee should complete an application.
The deadline to apply as a student mentee has passed.
- As much as possible, pairings will be assigned, based on information provided via the application process, for alignment of academic program experience and/or field / specialty of interest when possible, but this is not guaranteed.
- If members of a mentoring pair do not live in the same geographic area, they should plan to interact electronically (e.g., FaceTime, Zoom, phone, email).
- In December 2025, those who apply to participate will be notified via email regarding the status of their application and next steps in the program.
No, the SWAA Alumni-Student Mentoring Program is free. Alumni mentor and student mentee participation is voluntary. Please note that the College of Social Work will not reimburse program participants for expenses incurred (e.g., mileage, meals).
Have a question not listed here? Want to talk with someone about the program?
Contact Anna Chalfant, Assistant Dean of Strategic Operations
CoSW
spotlights
Our alumni are dedicated to improving the human condition through steadfast service. Their stories serve to inspire current and new generations of social workers.
Calendar of Events
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