Office of Business Student Success Mentoring Program

Mentees (students): This is a low-risk opportunity to network with and learn from someone in your chosen field. Students will gain resources for career decision-making and strengthen their learning by hearing a different perspective.

Mentors: By participating, you can help the next generation of LSU business students gain important skills and grow their networks. This is an opportunity to give back by sharing your wisdom.

Eligibility

• Current LSU business student (undergraduate or graduate)
• GPA of 2.6 or higher
• Ability to participate for the full academic year (December graduates are not eligible.)

Expectations

• Attend all three mandatory virtual professional development sessions to support and engage with their mentee throughout the program. 
  November 11 | 5 - 7 p.m. Central  
  January 27 | 5 - 7 p.m. Central
  March 17 | 5 - 7 p.m. Central
• Complete all four monthly homework assignments by the established deadlines. Details to come.
• Schedule and meet with their mentor regularly (recommended: at least once per month).
• Come prepared for mentor meetings by completing assignments in advance and bringing questions for discussion.
• Respond to mentor communications in a timely and professional manner (within 2–3 business days whenever possible).
• Take ownership of the mentoring relationship by initiating meetings and following through on action items.
• Maintain professionalism in all communications and interactions.
• Be open to feedback, willing to reflect on personal growth, and actively engage in career development activities. 
• Notify the program coordinator if communication with their mentor becomes difficult or if challenges arise. 

Eligibility:

• LSU graduate, E. J. Ourso College of Business graduates preferred
• Ability to participate from October through May.

Expectations:

• Attend all three mandatory virtual professional development sessions to support and engage with their mentee throughout the program. 
  November 11 | 5 - 7 p.m. Central  
  January 27 | 5 - 7 p.m. Central
  March 17 | 5 - 7 p.m. Central
• Meet with their mentee regularly (recommended: at least once per month). 
• Attend the mentor orientation and review all program communications. 
• Review and discuss each monthly assignment with their mentee. 
• Provide constructive feedback, guidance, and encouragement throughout the program. 
• Share professional experiences, career insights, and networking advice when appropriate. 
• Respond to mentee communications in a timely manner. 
• Support the mentee's growth while encouraging them to take ownership of their career development. 
• Notify the program coordinator if communication challenges or concerns arise. 

No, mentees are the decision-makers in this program. In mid-October, mentees will receive profiles for our mentors. At that time, they will make a selection. Please note, each mentor will only take on one mentee.

Mentors and mentees can expect routine email check-ins from Stephanie Gandy, assistant director of professional development. If needed, she will follow up with a meeting. Throughout the year, Stephanie will offer prompts to help keep your conversations flowing.

Meeting frequency, mode, and content will be decided by the mentors and mentees.

All mentors and mentees are expected to attend the skill development sessions to be held November 11,  
January 27, and March 17. These virtual sessions will be held from 5-7 p.m. Central.

No, students will only have one mentor at at time. Mentors will only have one mentee.

This is our goal, and we have a robust marketing plan to recruit both mentors and mentees. However, we cannot guarantee the availability of mentors or mentees. 

If the number of mentees exceeds the number of mentors, students will be admitted to the program in the order in which they applied. 

Yes, pending mentor availability

Mentor and mentee orientation sessions will be held Tuesday, Sept. 30. Registered participants will receive details via email.

Mentees will make their selections on Thursday, Oct. 9. The goal is to announce pairings on Monday, Oct. 13. 

All mentees must agree to the code of conduct as part of the application process.

We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy living and learning environment. Each campus community member should choose behaviors that contribute toward this end. Students are expected to be good citizens and engage in responsible behaviors that reflect well upon their university, be civil to one another and others in the campus community and contribute positively to student and university life.

IMPORTANT: As a registered mentee, I acknowledge and understand the following: I pledge to commit my time to my mentor in learning and developing my goals for the 2026-2027 academic year.

I commit to building a mutual relationship with my mentor, to hearing about personal experiences and professional advice, to sharing my own stories, and to respecting the differences between us.

I understand that I drive the mentor-mentee pairings and that the E. J. Ourso College cannot guarantee that all interested mentees will have a mentor.

I understand that I will select a mentor based on educational backgrounds, professional interests, and other factors, but a "perfect" pairing is not always possible. I understand the quality of any mentoring experience is determined by the commitment, time, and quality of communication between me and my mentor.

I understand that I am responsible for adequate Internet bandwidth for virtual meetings and/or transportation to and from an in-person meeting. I understand and support that alcohol should not be part of any interaction with my mentor.

I am aware of LSU's policy on nondiscrimination and unlawful harassment, and I agree to abide by university policy concerning my interaction with my mentor. If I become aware of an incident that may violate university policy, I will immediately submit a report through LSU Cares and inform Stephanie Gandy (sgandy@lsu.edu).

I understand that the program runs during the fall and spring semesters and that there is no required commitment after the program ends. However, if both parties choose to continue a professional relationship, the Ourso College is not liable for this interaction.

I understand that my involvement in the mentorship program is at the discretion of the Ourso College; the college reserves the right to withdraw me from the program if I do not meet program expectations. If at any point I am no longer able or no longer want to participate in the program, I promise to notify my mentor and Stephanie Gandy (sgandy@lsu.edu) about my situation as soon as possible.

I give the college permission to share my name, e-mail address, LinkedIn profile, and phone number with potential mentors. I acknowledge all of the above statements, and by registering for this program I commit to a mentorship pairing. This Code of Conduct will remain in effect until I request to opt-out via email to sgandy@lsu.edu. 

All mentors agree to abide by a code of conduct as part of the registration process.

We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy living and learning environment. Each campus community member, including our mentors, should choose behaviors that contribute toward this end. Students are expected to be good citizens and engage in responsible behaviors that reflect well upon their university, be civil to one another and others in the campus community, and contribute positively to student and university life.

IMPORTANT: As a registered mentor, I acknowledge and understand the following:

I pledge to commit my time and expertise to assist my mentee in developing and furthering his or her goals for the 2026-2027 academic year. 

I commit to building a mutual relationship with my mentee, to hearing about dreams and challenges, to sharing my own stories, and to respecting the differences between us. 

I understand that the student drives mentor-mentee pairings and that the E. J. Ourso College cannot guarantee that all interested mentors will have a mentee as it is the student who will select his/her mentee. 

I understand that students select mentors based on educational backgrounds, professional interests, and other factors, but a "perfect" pairing is not always possible. 

I understand the quality of any mentoring experience is determined by the commitment, time, and quality of communication between me and my mentee. 

I understand that my mentee is responsible for adequate Internet bandwidth for virtual meetings and/or transportation to and from an in-person meeting. 

I understand and support that alcohol should not be part of any interaction with my mentee.

I am aware of LSU's policy on nondiscrimination and unlawful harassment, and I agree to abide by university policy concerning my interaction with my mentee.

If I become aware of an incident that may violate university policy, I will immediately submit a report through LSU Cares and inform Stephanie Gandy (sgandy@lsu.edu).

I understand that the program runs during the fall and spring semesters and that there is no required commitment after the program ends. However, if both parties choose to continue a professional relationship, the Ourso College is not liable for this interaction. 

I understand that my involvement in the mentorship program is at the discretion of the Ourso College; the college reserves the right to withdraw me from the program if I do not meet program expectations. 

If at any point I am no longer able or no longer want to participate in the program, I promise to notify my mentee and Stephanie Gandy (sgandy@lsu.edu) about my situation as soon as possible.

I give the college permission to share my name, e-mail address, LinkedIn profile, and phone number with potential mentees.

I acknowledge all of the above statements, and by registering for this program I commit to mentoring a current LSU business student. This Code of Conduct will remain in effect until I request to opt-out via email to sgandy@lsu.edu.