Become an Alumni Mentor
Becoming an Alumni Mentor allows our alumni to give back to current students by sharing stories, building trust and developing a relationship.
Compeer
Buffalo State University has partnered with Compeer to provide the best program for our alumni mentors and students. Compeer will work with us to ensure every volunteer mentor is ready to be assigned to a Buff State student.
Compeer’s Purpose: Champion Mental Wellbeing. Connect People. Build Relationships…One Friend at a Time.
Applying
The volunteer application takes about 20–30 minutes. Compeer prides themselves on this diligent process to make sure our students have the best alumni mentor fit.
Alumni Mentor Process
Step 1
Compeer assists with the application process.
Timeline: About a month from start to finish.
What's Included: Interview process, background checks, reference checks, and orientation
This may sound like a lot, but we want you to get the most out of this experience, as well as have the best applicants for our students.
Step 2
You are paired with a Buffalo State student.
Typical mentors spend about 4–6 hours* a month invested in this program, including phone calls, meetings, or fun activities for you and your student.
*You are not required to put in hours every week. It is based on your student and what they feel their needs are.
Step 3
Further your mentor relationship, and continue to support your student.
- Buffalo State Alumni Association will assist in suggestions for the mentor and mentee to do, and how each can benefit from this relationship.
- Feel free to attend sporting events on campus, or grab a cup of coffee at the Starbucks in the library.
How Buffalo State Can Help
The Office of Alumni Engagement can provide suggestions for how to engage in your relationship with your student. The Alumni Mentorship Program partners with on-campus groups that support incoming freshmen as they make the transition into higher education.
- There are specific events on campus for mentors and mentees to attend together.
- A monthly email is sent to mentors and mentees on networking events and things to do in the area.
- The JVL Alumni & Visitor Center is always a good space to meet.
- Topics of conversation can be suggested to break the ice.
Roar 2 Success
Roar = Recognizing Opportunities Achieving Results.
The program focuses on providing advocacy and customized support to first-year students. ROAR 2 Success assists students in making sure they have the resources necessary to set them up for success, which aligns with the college’s mission to empower students to succeed. It is our best hope that with the support of the Roar 2 Success program, all first-year students will build a foundation that allows them to be successful during their time at Buffalo State.