Executive Mentor Kick-Off Reflection

On Thursday, 9.11.08, the Loyola University New Orleans, College of Business freshmen (class of 2012) participated in our 6th year of the Executive Mentor Program. Very few business colleges offer this type of program. Xavier University's Williams College of Business has an Executive Mentor Program, but it requires that each student request a mentor, rather than provide mentors for all the freshmen in our college. The University of Denver's Daniels College of Business provides a Mentor Program, but their students must apply for participation. Consistent across all universities, the general objectives of mentor programs include increased 1) understanding of business, 2) awareness of self, and 3) ability to network. Research supports freshmen programs that build self-awareness as a tool to finding their own personal mission. Management guru, Franklin Covey, offers an effective and interactive tool that can be downloaded for developing a personal mission statement.

I expect that our Executive Mentor Program with have many positive outcomes for our students, including increased confidence in pursing business careers, improved networking skills, heighten pride in being part of Loyola's College of Business, and more enthusiasm for learning. I hope that our students in this program will be as exited as my nephew Keaton (right) who learned how to pick strawberries and as curious as my nephew Logan (left) who tries hard to understand why is cousin is having fun.

The Executive Mentor Program adds as much value to the professors as the students. Being connected with successful business people in the NOLA community and quality business students at Loyola inspires me to create a learning environment with Professor Howard in which BA100 students can explode their talents, transform their worlds, and make a positive difference in business through their inputs and outputs...and thoughtful blogs.