By Brian Williams, Associate Director for Student Success Scholars Programs, Office of the Provost
Students are facing significant challenges while trying to navigate their higher-education journey. Students can feel a lack of belonging on campus, financial strain of college, academic challenges/revelations, etc.
There are many great indicators that we use in higher education to highlight those students that may not have been meeting academic outcomes or fall behind on their student payments. However, those issues may only be the tip of the iceberg. In the light of National Mentoring Month, it is important that we understand the impact that mentoring can have on a student.
Paraphrasing Merriam-Webster, a mentor is an experienced person helping or giving advice to a younger and/or less experienced person. If we lean on this definition, if you work at a college or university and directly work with students, you are a mentor and influencing students.
The Evolving Landscape of Undergraduate Mentorship
In recent years, undergraduate students’ needs have evolved significantly. They seek academic confidence, career clarity, and guidance on navigating challenges. All of which hinge on feeling a sense of belonging.
During my time as an advisor, many appointments shifted away from course planning to address urgent concerns such as financial holds or locating academic resources. Often, these issues had to be resolved before we could even discuss classes, sometimes requiring multiple meetings. These experiences taught me that students need more comprehensive support because college is unfamiliar territory.
While I wasn’t an expert in every area, I drew on my own undergraduate experience and higher-education background to connect students with resources like research opportunities, academic coaches, and peer tutors.
I also offered perspective on what truly matters for academic success, helping students feel informed and empowered.
What Effective Mentorship Looks Like Today
My transition into academic counseling within athletics allowed me to fully leverage my mentoring skills. Because every student-athlete was assigned an advisor, I had the opportunity to support them holistically throughout their academic journey, from initial preparation to graduation, empowering them through intentional mentorship at every stage. This support was never one-size-fits-all; each student possessed unique strengths and areas for growth.
It is essential to recognize that education and personal development belong to the student. It is their journey, not ours. Effective mentoring means equipping students with the tools and resources that serve as gateways to success, rather than completing the work for them.
The Impact: Stories and Outcomes That Show Mentorship Works
I have continued this work by leading two cohort programs: the Kessler Provost Scholars and the Posse Scholars. Like my experience in athletics, these programs allow my team and me to build meaningful relationships with students throughout their college journey.
Walking alongside them through both successes and challenges creates trust and empowers growth. Celebrating achievements and providing guidance during difficult times strengthens these connections and helps students thrive.
Mentoring can be demanding and often goes unrecognized, but its impact is undeniable. I remind professionals that it’s not the daily tasks of advising or coaching that sustain you. There will be days that feel exhausting. The true reward comes years later when students return to express gratitude for the guidance you provided. Those moments affirm that you are making a lasting difference.
In fact, the results speak for themselves: In the three years of the Kessler Scholars program, 100% of participants have persisted in their studies. This is a powerful testament to the impact of purposeful mentorship.
How Anyone on Campus Can Be a Mentor
Anyone can be a mentor—faculty, staff, advisors, and even student leaders often serve in this role without realizing it.
If you’ve ever offered guidance or shared your perspective, you’ve acted as a mentor.
For those interested in formal opportunities, many campuses provide structured programs. At the University of Pittsburgh, for example, the Mentoring and Advising Summit brings together professionals nationwide to share best practices, while Pitt Commons connects first-generation students with faculty, staff, and alumni through its First at Pitt initiative.
To make your mentoring efforts impactful, consider these steps:
- Be Accessible – Create a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable seeking advice.
- Listen Actively – Understand their goals and challenges before offering guidance.
- Share Your Experience – Provide insights from your own journey as examples, not prescriptions.
- Connect to Resources – Direct students to tutoring, research opportunities, or career services.
- Encourage Ownership – Empower students to take responsibility for their growth.
- Follow Up – Check in periodically to reinforce support and accountability.
Mentoring requires only a small investment of time but can have a lasting impact on a student’s success.
Anyone can be a mentor: faculty, staff, advisor, student leaders—and you probably are a mentor and did not know it. Think about all the times someone has asked you for your opinion and/or guidance; if you provided it, you are a mentor.
But there are several ways to officially become a mentor on your campus. Check out the Mentoring and Advising Summit in March, where professional around the country share ideas and best practices for those who advise and mentor students. Join First at Pitt mentoring through Pitt Commons to support first-generation Pitt students.
Brian Williams serves as Associate Director for Student Success Scholars Programs and directs both the Kessler Provost Scholars program, a program that supports a cohorts of 20 first-generation students throughout their undergraduate degree, and which welcomed its third cohort in Fall 2025, and the Posse program, a program that prepares students for college and supports them throughout their undergraduate degree. He also oversees the daily operations in the Student Success Hub, a space for students to collaborate with each other and with University resources in Langley Hall.