Scaling Mentorship: Why Every Institution Should Invest in Formal Mentorship Programs

Scaling Mentorship: Why Every Institution Should Invest in Formal Mentorship Programs

Mentorship is more than a student support initiative—it’s a strategic driver of success for higher education institutions. From increasing retention rates to fostering alumni engagement, mentorship programs address critical institutional goals while delivering transformative benefits to students, alumni, and the broader university community.

In a recent webinar hosted by PeopleGrove, three experts shared their approaches to designing and scaling impactful mentorship programs:

• Evan Gray, Associate Director of Student Success at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC), leads a mentorship program that pairs 1,800 students annually.
• Tiffany Key, Coordinator of the Bulldog Mentor Program at Mississippi State University, which scaled from 32 to 252 mentor-mentee pairings in under two years.
• Caitlin Bond, Senior Customer Success Manager at PeopleGrove, has extensive experience helping institutions launch and sustain mentorship programs.

Their insights offer a compelling case for why every institution should prioritize mentorship as a core component of their strategy.

Why Mentorship Matters for Institutions

Mentorship programs create lasting value for institutions by advancing student success, enhancing alumni engagement, and strengthening institutional reputation. Here’s how mentorship impacts key areas of higher education:

1. Student Retention and Success

Mentorship fosters social capital by connecting students with peers, alumni, and professionals who provide guidance, support, and encouragement. This sense of belonging is particularly crucial for first-year students and underrepresented populations, reducing the risk of attrition and improving graduation rates.

2. Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy

Mentorship is a relational form of engagement that deepens alumni ties to their alma mater. Alumni who volunteer as mentors report high levels of fulfillment, making them more likely to contribute financially. Research shows that volunteerism through mentorship is a stronger predictor of giving than traditional annual fund participation.

3. Enrollment and Recruitment

Prospective students and parents increasingly seek evidence of institutional commitment to student success. Showcasing mentorship programs signals a supportive, personalized educational experience, attracting new students and strengthening the institution’s value proposition.

4. Career Readiness and Outcomes

Mentorship bridges the gap between academic learning and career development. By connecting students with mentors in their desired fields, institutions can prepare them for internships, employment, and long-term success—metrics that influence rankings and alumni satisfaction.

5. Operational Efficiency

With platforms like PeopleGrove, institutions can scale mentorship programs efficiently, leveraging technology to automate pairings, track engagement, and measure outcomes. This reduces administrative burdens while maintaining program quality.

Key Insights and Takeaways

1. Start Small and Scale Strategically

Both UAGC and Mississippi State began their mentorship programs with pilot initiatives. These smaller-scale efforts allowed them to collect valuable feedback, refine their approaches, and build early success stories that inspired broader institutional support.

2. Make Mentor Pairing Intentional

• UAGC’s Weekly Pairing: CHAMPS pairs students weekly, aligning with the continuous enrollment model of online education. This ensures students receive immediate support tailored to their needs.
• Mississippi State’s Personalized Matches: The Bulldog Mentor Program uses detailed surveys to match mentees with mentors based on career stage and goals, ensuring alignment and mutual benefit.

3. Build Social Capital Through Engagement

• Ongoing Connection: Regular check-ins, structured orientations, and automated nudges keep participants engaged. Mississippi State uses peer influencers to sustain momentum, while UAGC facilitates continuous interaction through its platform.
• Holistic Support: Mentorship extends beyond career advice to address wellness, academic challenges, and personal growth, creating a well-rounded support system.

4. Measure and Demonstrate Impact

Data is key to proving the value of mentorship. Both UAGC and Mississippi State track engagement metrics, retention improvements, and participant testimonials. At UAGC, mentorship data is integrated into the student information system, enabling advisors to monitor progress and identify at-risk students.

5. Address Challenges with Innovation

• Time Constraints: UAGC incentivizes participation by offering academic credits for mentorship, while Mississippi State offers flexible options like flash mentoring for participants with limited availability.
• Scalability: Leveraging technology streamlines administration, enabling institutions to scale mentorship without sacrificing personalization or effectiveness.

The Institutional Impact of Mentorship

Investing in mentorship creates a ripple effect of benefits across the institution:

• Higher Retention Rates: Students who feel supported are more likely to persist through challenges and complete their degrees.
• Stronger Alumni Ties: Alumni who engage as mentors often transition into lifelong supporters, contributing their time, expertise, and financial resources.
• Enhanced Reputation: Institutions with robust mentorship programs are perceived as student-centered and outcomes-focused, strengthening recruitment and employer partnerships.
• Improved Career Outcomes: Mentorship equips students with the social capital, skills, and networks needed to thrive in competitive job markets.

The chart illustrates the wide-ranging impact of mentorship programs in higher education. Nearly 80% of respondents reported that mentorship programs have a significant impact on skills development and career readiness, while 75% highlighted the role of mentorship in strengthening alumni engagement. These findings underscore the multifaceted benefits of formal mentorship initiatives, from fostering social capital to improving post-graduation outcomes.

Actionable Strategies for Institutional Leaders

1. Pilot and Refine: Start small, gather feedback, and use early successes to build momentum.
2. Leverage Technology: Use tools like PeopleGrove to streamline administration and track outcomes.
3. Engage Alumni: Highlight the dual benefits of mentorship for alumni and students to foster long-term engagement.
4. Integrate Career Readiness: Connect mentorship with career services to align with institutional goals around employment outcomes.
5. Promote Inclusivity: Design programs that serve diverse student and alumni populations, including online learners and working professionals.

Empowering Success Through Mentorship

Mentorship is more than achieving career goals—it’s about building relationships that empower individuals to grow, succeed, and give back. As Evan Gray noted during the webinar, “Your network is your net worth.” By investing in mentorship programs, institutions can create a virtuous cycle of success that benefits students, alumni, and the institution as a whole.