Ohio University

Connecting Women Across and Beyond Campus for Support, Leadership, and Excellence

The Women’s Center Mentoring Program provides an opportunity for junior and senior female students at Ohio University to connect with a female mentor in their personal and professional fields of interest. The goal of the program is to enrich the female undergraduate experience at Ohio University and to pair students with a mentor who can offer guidance and assist them in reaching their personal and professional goals.

In addition to building a mentoring relationship, participating students and mentors will also have the opportunity to attend programs and activities focused on career and personal development.  Mentors and mentees will decide on the format of their mentoring relationship and the time commitment they wish to make.  It is recommended that you meet at least once a month and stay in contact regularly.

OU alumnae, current and retired female faculty and staff, female graduate students and Athens area professionals and activists are eligible to serve as mentors. The program is designed for junior and senior women students with both clearly defined or unsure career goals.

The Women’s Center Mentoring Program runs formally from November 2009 through the end of Spring Quarter. Participants may decide to keep in contact informally after the program has ended if they wish to do so.

The deadline for mentee applications for the 2009/10 academic year has now passed.  We are still accepting applications from mentors.  Please see below.

For questions, please contact the Women's Center. 

Application Forms
Mentor Application Form (MS Word)

Mentoring Program Speakers and Programs 2009-2010

Polly Bennell is a local filmmaker, writer, and life coach. Films she has written, produced or directed have won national awards, and her productions have aired on public radio and television. Recently Visiting Assistant Professor in OU’s School of Film (2007-2009), Polly was the Director of Writing for the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Portland, Maine from 2000-2006.  She holds degrees from Kent State University (BA) and New York University (MFA), an MFT certificate of advanced graduate study in family therapy from the University of New England, and a PCC certificate in life coaching from Coaches Training  Institute. Through InterPlay Coaching and Consulting, Polly works with individuals, groups, and businesses as a professional coach specializing in integrated development. She also presents coaching workshops for businesses and non-profits, and holds monthly teleseminars for writers, filmmakers, and artists.
This event will be scheduled for early Winter Quarter.  

Courtnee Carrigan
Director of Program Development, Community Advocacy, and Partnerships: YWCA Columbus
Courtnee is trained in the areas of diversity, conflict resolution, facilitation, and leadership training and development. Her graduate work was in Urban Planning and her BA is in Communications and African-American Studies from the University of Cincinnati. She has served as Diversity Facilitator for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati and as Program Manager for Outreach, Leadership, and Promotions at her alma mater. With over 10 years of education and experience in the field of diversity, Courtnee has worked with non-profits, schools, universities, and businesses to implement well-researched and documented methods to improve workforce performance and community relations. She has assembled curriculums that build awareness and promote individual and systematic change through common sense actions. Courtnee is a member of the Community Refugee and Immigration Services board and the Columbus Metropolitan Club Program committee. 
This event will be scheduled for late Winter Quarter.

Kristine Hoke
Assistant Director for Career Services and Mentor
"Strategies for a Successful Job Search"
May 6, 2010  at noon

Spring Luncheon with Provost Pam Benoit
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 TBA