Seidman Mentorship Podcast: Recent Episodes
Seidman Mentorship Podcast
The Seidman Mentorship Program connects mentors and mentees, across the University and throughout the community. On the show we discuss how to mentor, be mentored, network, thrive, and excel - using mentorship.
Gillian Venditelli, a recent Seidman Graduate, shares her experiences and wisdom about being a GV student, entrepreneurship, and the transition to professional life. Gillian answers student questions about what it is like to graduate and step into work life.
Today Shayla and I are doing something a little bit different on the show. We are going to answer some of your questions. So these are questions that we either have received or we've heard over the the span of the Mentorship Program. If you'd like to join the conversation or have a question answered or would like insight, feel free to email us at smp@gvsu.edu. And when we do another one of these, we may read your question on the air. You can also submit anonymous feedback if you'd like. We always enjoy having these conversations, reading these, so you can't see in the studio, but we don't have any producers. So, what Shayla and I have done, is taken all of the feedback that we've gotten and questions that we have, and we've created the "Bowl of Mystery".
Today on the show, Gerry welcomes Patrick Scheffers, Commercial Relationship Manager at Huntington Bank in 2013 Seidman alumni. Recently, Patrick was honored as Pro Mentor of the Year by the Seidman Mentorship Program. In today's episode, Patrick discusses his secrets for a successful mentorship. Additionally, he shares practical financial insight helpful for every college student.
Today on the show, Gerry welcomes Mike Messner, the Director of the Student Academic Success Center. Mike's a lifelong Laker holding two degrees from Grand Valley, a master's degree in higher education, and a bachelor's degree in biology. In today's episode, Mike throws a lifeline for the most troubling student concerns --mental health concerns, tutoring with Grand Valley's hardest classes, along with professional and academic success services. Mike demonstrates his excellence in student affairs with over 18 years of experience at Grand Valley.
Today on the show, I welcome President Emeritus Tom Haas, better known as T Haas. The fourth president of Grand Valley is legendary for his connection with students. Many students treasure their selfie with T Haas, and he always made time for them. T Haas has many titles and accolades, including Coast Guard Captain, president of the State University of New York, several doctorates, and is a current professor, teaching leadership at Grand Valley. We discussed the role of multi-generational mentors and how the spirit of making each other better is at the heart of mentorship.
Today on the show, I host Dr. Diana Lawson, Dean of the Seidman College of Business. Lawson earned her PhD from Kent State University in 1993, an MBA and a Master's degree from Kent State. Also a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York College at Cortland. It was Diana Lawson who had the vision for the Seidman Mentorship Program. We discussed why she thinks mentoring is important for today's students and how they can be bold in their what if thinking about life.
Gerry: (00:25)
Today on the show, I host the director of the GVSU Career Center, Troy Farley. Troy's an alumni from the 1980s when Grand Valley was still a college and not yet a university. He shares insights for both students and employers on how mentorship can lead to employment while enriching the experience of life.
Today on the show, I welcome Phil Sims. Phil and I talk about self-mentoring. Can you go it alone? How to get the most out of your mentorship and the internal dialogue that causes us to fear failure and run from success. Phil's a 2010 graduate from the Seidman College of Business School of Accounting. He's been a CEO, worked in the public sector, and even done turnarounds as a business consultant. Phil's a friend of the program and has mentored many students.
Today on the show, I welcome Professor Leslie Lynch. Professor Lynch is an affiliative practice at Grand Valley State University, Seidman College of Business, where she instructs undergraduate and graduate students. Few instructors have as much professional experience as Professor Lynch. She talks about making difficult business decisions as an executive, shares experiences, and tells students what they need to know about today's world in business. She even hits a few hard balls out of the park talking about work-life balance and the realities of being an executive. She shares ideas on how to use and find mentors, grow, learn, do, and be.
Today on the show, I welcome Professor Kevin Lehnart. Professor Lehnert has a Ph.D. in international marketing business from St. Louis University, an MBA in economics from Loyola, a MA in philosophy from Boston College, and two BAs in philosophy and psychology from St. Louis University. Professor Lehnert and I talk about the walls and pathways that students encounter when they first come to Grand Valley and the opening ways in which we can better mentor each other. And throughout the entire university, we focus on vulnerability. A concept that seems simple at first and is at the key and the heart of mentorship.
Today on the show, I host a Roundtable of self-identified introverts and extroverts, two students and two professionals discuss the ways we approach situations, how we are different, and how we are the same. I am fascinated by the social scripts each style uses to achieve the common goal of success in school, business, and life.
Today on the show, I host a round table of pro mentors, peer mentors, and mentees. We review the pilot year of the Seidman mentorship program, sharing our experiences and offering advice to those who are interested in joining us. You can hear the warmth and passion of these wonderful volunteers who decided to come aboard and share their voyage with others.
Today on the show, I welcome Grand Valley president Emeritus Don Lubbers. Lubbers served as university president from 1969 to 2001 making him the longest-serving university leader in the country. Lubbers is credited with the growth of Grand Valley and its reorganization from a collection of colleges to a full-fledged university. Lubber's style as president was a combination of community and state government hobnobbing, and a congenital form of an open door, enlightened paternalism on campus. We discussed the legacy of Bill Seidman, who was immortalized by the GV business school that bears his name. Bill was a successful businessman, an advisor to four presidents, and credited with the major role in the founding of Grand Valley State University. President Lubber shares what the university was like in the beginning, his hope for students now, and the role mentorship plays in the fabric of Laker life.
Today on the show, I interview Bob Stoll. Bob is legendary at Grand Valley, having served students at Grand Valley for 38 years, under 4 different University presidents as associate dean and director of student life. The Office of Student Life, under Stoll's leadership, expanded to oversee club sports, Student Senate, Greek life, student organizations, and more. Today there are more than 400 student organizations. It has been said, "Often Bob was the first person you see when you arrive on campus during orientation and the last person you see when you leave GVSU at commencement." Despite his busy schedule, Bob always made time for and mentored many students, including myself. Today we talk about mentorship from the Mentor’s perspective.
Hello, this is Sidney Bachman; I am a Graduate Student at Grand Valley State University and work in the Seidman Advisory Office. On today’s show, I interview the MentorShip Captain Himself: Gerry Cooke.
Gerry is Director of Mentorship for the Seidman School of business, an MBA candidate, and lifelong Laker. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1998 from Seidman, founded a club sport, earned the President’s Award, and volunteered in the professional mentorship program since its inception 8 years ago.
After 25 years of professional work in public relations and sales, Gerry has decided to return to GVSU to pursue his passion for mentorship.
This episode discusses the Seidman Mentorship program, its mission and goals, how it works, what to expect if you join, and the tangible benefits of being a mentor or mentee.
Today on the show we welcome Anna Obi. Anna is a Senior with a double major in criminal justice - legal studies and juvenile justice. Anna hails from
Brampton, Ontario, where she mastered the track and field sport of triple jump. She holds the Grand Valley school record for a massive 12.11m leap and earned GLIAC All-Academic Honors.
Anna and I talk about why you may want a mentor in your life, how to find one, and how to establish a relationship.