Alpha Sigma Nu Mentor Program
Introduction
The Alpha Sigma Nu Mentor Program is an exclusive member benefit which began as a pilot in 2022 in response to member interest. With support of the AΣN Board of Directors to connect members at different stages of their careers, the program continues to expand. Each year, the number of participants has grown and more mentors and mentees have met in-person, when possible, for coffee or lunch and shadow days. Both mentors and mentees have attested to the benefit the program. Developing connections goes beyond career advice and builds towards vocational discernment and lifelong learning.
Why join the mentor program?
In addition to career growth, skill development, networking, confidence building, goal setting and accountability, and exposure to new experiences, this unique opportunity connects those members who have common experiences as leaders at their Jesuit colleges and universities. Guided by a Jesuit charism, participants grow in understanding of the professional path, and elevate the experience by committing to the “magis,” striving for excellence for the greater and more universal good.
“Being a mentor has taught me that my professional journey can provide valuable lessons for someone navigating the challenges of a competitive job market. Monthly meetings with my mentee have focused on aligning personal goals with available career opportunities and developing the confidence needed to perform successfully during job interviews. But the most rewarding part of this experience has been helping someone grow their professional network through a shared commitment to the Jesuit concepts of cura personalis (care for the whole person) and magis (striving for excellence for the greater and more universal good).“- James Fortney (Saint Louis University ’05)
Overview
AΣN works to match AΣN members in similar fields and professions for a one-year commitment.
- All mentors and mentees participate in 15-minute virtual interviews May 26-29 and June 1-3, 2026
- After interviews are completed, matches are made and orientation dates are provided to participants.
- Participants attend three group virtual meetings over the course of the year.
- Mentors and mentees independently determine the frequency of meetings during the course of one year.
The application for 2026-27 is closed.
For more information, contact Amy O’Neil, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, at amy.oneil@marquette.edu.
Mentor Mentee Testimony
From Spring Hill to the Silicon Valley
My visit with my mentor was a truly transformative experience for me and impactful in more ways than I can describe. I was given the amazing opportunity to learn from many people who are actively contributing to the wave of amazing technological advancements such as my mentor, Mike…. I learned so much from these inspiring individuals such as how to succeed in the field of Computer Science, the dynamics of an effective tech company, what a career in tech looks like, how to effectively apply myself in graduate school, how to make the right decision on a graduate school, the power of a Jesuit education, the positive Jesuit influence in the San Francisco Bay Area, and much more advice that will aid me for the rest of my life.
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Mentee Testimony
What makes a hospital tick?
Experiencing firsthand how willing everyone was to take the time to let me shadow, answer my questions, and share their perspectives was helpful. This experience gave me a much more complete picture of the work dynamic and reinforced my interest in continuing to grow at the intersection of clinical operations and systems. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity—it was both insightful and inspiring.
Mentee Rachel Irish (Fordham University ’22) with Mentor Brandon DaGrosa (University of Scranton ’22)
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Mentee Testimony
Mentorship from Marquette to the Motor City
My mentorship visit with Jon showed me the power of scholarship, reinforced the value of loyalty to communities, and exemplified how service starts by identifying a need and recognizing how your passions, resources, and skills can address it. I’m grateful to Alpha Sigma Nu for promoting these core values of Jesuit education and advancing them in thought and action. Jon’s mentorship has inspired me to look towards the future with optimism, confidence, and a thirst for knowledge, and has encouraged me to identify the “who, what, where, when, and whys” in life that provide meaning and fulfillment. Traveling home to reconnect with my family, Detroit, and Jon during the Christmas season was the highlight of my year, and an experience that will influence my personal and professional growth for many years to come.- Mentee Jack Michaud (Marquette ’24) and Mentor Jonathan Witt (Marquette ’06).
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Mentee Testimony
Scholarship and Lifelong Learning
Amy Fraler (Loyola University New Orleans ’24) (pictured right) received a Seelos travel grant to visit Dr. Annie Selak (Santa Clara University ’04) in Washington, DC.
Although my trip to DC was cut two days short due to the winter storm, the experience was fantastic. My mentor, Annie, and I discussed best practices for attending academic conferences and talked about the papers I will present. She was an incredible resource!
I spent a day at the Shapell Center, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s offsite archives. This was an amazing opportunity for learning how to handle archival materials (and funny, helpful tips like bring little spatulas for holding down book pages if you don’t want your fingers to appear in scans!). Exchanging ideas with the reference librarians and other interdisciplinary scholars was inspiring.
I connected with a DC high school English teacher, and we brainstormed ideas for integrating my research with his curriculum. Annie then helped me map a plan for publication, navigate how to identify the right presses for an intended audience, develop a proposal, and negotiations. I’m very grateful for her generosity and expertise!
Reflections from the Mentor
Mentoring Amy has been an incredible opportunity. I love taking time every month to de-code things about life as an academic. There is so much in a field like academia that is coded, and traditionally the only people with access to this knowledge are those with privilege and on the tenure track. It feels revolutionary to join together as two women in the field and dream up new ways of doing theology in the church, sharing knowledge and decoding many things in the academy. – Annie Selak (Santa Clara University ’04)
