Expected Timeline

December 2024: Program Launch
December 16-31: Program Announcement

• Notify alumni and student-athletes of the mentorship opportunity.
• Alumni survey distributed, responses collected.

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January 2025: Program Preparation
January 1-15: Assess Current Student-Athlete Demand

• Player survey and program expectations distributed, responses collected.
• Alumni survey follow-up.

January 16-31: Alumni database established

• Survey responses cleaned to populate a reusable alumni database.

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February 2025: Pairing Process
February 1-15: Pairing Process

• Match mentors and mentees based on target role and expertise.
• Conduct a review to ensure balanced and meaningful pairings.

February 16-28: Pairing Announcement

• Notify participants of their match.
• Share an introductory guide for mentors and mentees, including program goals, suggested meeting frequency, and communication tips.
• In-person meeting with Bates Men’s Soccer players to review program expectations, guidelines, and goals.

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March 2025: Program Kickoff
March 1-15: Initial Meetings

• Mentors and mentees to schedule their first meeting to outline goals.

March 28: Alumni Mentorship Night

• Select alumni to return to campus for an in-person panel, Q+A, dinner with the players.
• Hosted in Commons 221/222

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April 2025 – June 2025: Engagement and Activities
April-June: Regular Mentorship Meetings

• Participants meet monthly to discuss goals, progress, and challenges.

May: Midpoint Check-In

• Distribute a brief survey to assess mentorship progress and gather feedback.
• Address any challenges or concerns through follow-up communication.

Ongoing: Additional In-person panels, alumni events, and networking opportunities

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July 2025: Program Wrap-Up
July 1-15: Final Meetings

• Encourage mentors and mentees to reflect on their experiences and achievements.
• Discuss future steps and continue networking.

July 16-31: Feedback Collection

• Send out a comprehensive feedback survey to all participants.
• Begin compiling data for the program report.

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August 2025: Program Debrief and Celebration
August 1-15: Program Debrief

• Analyze survey results and identify successes and areas for improvement.
• Prepare a summary report for stakeholders.

August 1-31: Celebration Event

• Host a closing event to recognize participants’ efforts and achievements.
• Ongoing: Maintain Alumni Network
• Encourage continued connections through an alumni mentorship community.
• Encourage recent graduates to engage in the alumni mentorship community.

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Player Program Expectations

Commitment to the Program

• The onus for program success ultimately lies with the player.
• Dedicate the time and effort to fully participate for at least six months.
• Prioritize scheduled meetings with your mentor, understanding the value of their time and expertise.

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Effective Communication

• Respond promptly to mentor outreach, ensuring open and consistent communication.
• Be prepared for scheduled meetings with discussion topics, questions, or updates on your goals and progress.
• Notify your mentor in advance if you need to reschedule or cancel a meeting.
• Understand and respect your mentor’s preferred mode of communication, i.e. text, email, phone call, video call.

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Goal Setting and Accountability

• Collaborate with your mentor to establish clear, realistic goals for your personal,
• academic and/or career development.
• Take initiative in following through on agreed-upon action steps.
• Regularly update your mentor on progress and seek guidance on overcoming
• challenges.
• Don’t be afraid of setbacks in achieving your goals, you learn more from a rigorous journey than a smooth one.

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Professionalism

• Show respect and gratitude toward your mentor’s time and efforts.
• Conduct yourself in a manner that reflects positively on yourself, your team, and your institution.

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Active Participation

• Take advantage of the resources being provided to you.
• Attend program events such as panels, in-person networking and program touchpoints.

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Feedback and Reflection

• Share honest feedback during midpoint and final check-ins to help improve the program for future participants.
• Reflect on your experience and identify lessons learned, achievements, and areas for continued growth.
• Upon benefitting from your alumni network, pass it on after graduating.

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Alumni Survey Results

Here are the key learnings from our alumni survey thus far: