Kimberly Schwan
Director and Mentorship Chairperson
March 2024 Newsletter
Q: How did you get involved in RTE? What drew you to it?
My last career was a 16 year tenure as VP of Human Resources for a private equity firm. Afterwards, I spent four years volunteering at the Paly College & Career Counseling Center (CCC) at the same time that my daughters and their peers were navigating the college process. I found that many students sought assistance from advisors to help with college applications, essays, and other aspects of the process. Our family decided to navigate this process on our own. Through my work and volunteer experiences, I became acutely aware of the barriers that financially challenged students encounter when pursuing higher education and that there was a need to address these obstacles and provide support to young adults striving to achieve their academic and career goals. I joined RTE to help create a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape.
Q: What have been the most rewarding aspects of your work?
The most rewarding aspects of my work are with the impact I see on my students and the collaborative efforts of the mentorship team and organization I work with.
First and foremost, witnessing the growth and success of my students brings me immense joy -whether it's academic achievements, personal milestones, or overcoming challenges. Seeing them thrive fills me with pride and happiness.
I am incredibly grateful to work alongside a dedicated and compassionate group of mentors. Their unwavering commitment to supporting our students and their forward-thinking approach to improving our programs and services inspire me every day. Additionally, being part of an organization that is dedicated to serving the needs of underserved students has been both fulfilling and rewarding. Collaborating with our board members to shape the direction and growth of the organization has been an exciting journey. Together, we have worked tirelessly to expand our reach, strengthen our programs, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
Q: What do you do as Mentorship Chair?
Mentorship: I mentor students and alumni. I provide guidance, support, and encouragement to help them navigate academic, career, and personal challenges. I advocate for their success, offer insights, help them navigate challenges and provide advice based on my own experiences and expertise.
Recruitment and Leadership: I recruit and manage mentors. I provide leadership and direction to the mentorship team and support a collaborative environment that encourages mentor engagement and inspires new ideas.
Resource Creation and Development: I research and create resources and materials to support mentors and mentees which include, but are not limited to, an online resource center, workshops, panels, community mentorship, peer mentorship, mental health resources, and community relationships.
Alumni Advising: I provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and career advice to help alumni navigate the challenges of post-graduation life and achieve their professional goals.
Salesforce Administration: I manage various aspects of this to track mentorship program data, mentor-mentee relationships, and also to generate reports for program management and to solicit funding from grants.
Collaboration and Partnerships: I collaborate with other organizations similar to RTE to exchange best practices, share resources, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Q: What do you look for in mentors?
I look for individuals with a diverse range of experiences and expertise, which include are not limited to:
Empathy and Understanding: Mentors who have personal experience with children navigating college, students who have recently gone through college, or individuals who understand resources available to students and can empathize with the challenges students face. They can relate to the anxieties, uncertainties, and pressures that come with the college journey.
Q: How long have you volunteered with RTE and what has changed over that time?
I joined in the summer of 2018 and there are many ways in which the organization has evolved since then.
Recruiting Mentors and Developing Structured Mentorship Program: In 2019, I became the only mentor for the Paly classes graduating in 2015-2019. By 2020, I was the only mentor for 60 students. Between the classes of 2021 and 2023 we brought on board five new mentors who mentored between 5 to 11 students per graduating class. In 2021, with the addition of new mentors, we began the development of onboarding programs, workshops, and events, and enhancing the support provided to students. Bringing on additional mentors, meant more support for our students and also better ideas about how to better support our students.
Enhanced Scholar Recruitment Process: RTE transitioned from relying on the CCC identifying students for RTE to collaborating with the Paly Scholarship Committee (PSC) to identify eligible students for RTE scholarships. This has allowed us to reach those with the greatest financial need.
Community Engagement and Resources: We connect with the community and gain access to resources for students, such as mental health support and career-building opportunities. These partnerships expand the range of support services available to students and contribute to their overall success and well-being.
Improved Tracking Infrastructure: RTE transitioned from manual tracking of student and donor information in Excel spreadsheets to implementing Salesforce.
Standardized Scholarship Structure: RTE established scholarship amounts and duration limits for our scholarships to set clear expectations with students and help with long term budget goals.
Alumni Engagement and Peer Mentorship: Engaging RTE alumni as board members and peer mentors creates a sense of continuity and community within the organization. Alumni not only provides valuable support to current students but also provides valuable feedback as to how to better reach and provide resources to our students.
Initially, RTE relied heavily on fundraising events such as auctions and other community gatherings to generate revenue. However, over time, there has been a shift towards a more strategic focus on securing grants and donations from our community.
Q: What have been the most challenging aspects of your work?
Losing Contact with Students: One of the most challenging aspects is when we lose contact with students and are unsure of their well-being or reasons for disengagement. Not knowing if they are facing difficulties, struggling with personal issues, or simply choosing not to communicate is difficult.
Post-Graduation Employment: While our primary mission is to support students in their academic journey, we also aim to help them transition successfully into the workforce. However, many students end up returning to their high school jobs after college, despite the sacrifices they made and the financial challenges they faced. We are working on ways to build their confidence during their college career to better equip them to enter the job force upon graduation.
Securing Long-Term Mentor Commitment: Building strong, lasting relationships between mentors and students is crucial for the success of our program. However, finding mentors who are willing to commit to students through their graduation can be challenging.
Q: What goals do you have in terms of evolving the mentorship program?
I hope to develop ongoing training and resources for mentors and mentees to enhance the quality of mentorship and improve outcomes for mentees.
Another goal is to develop enhanced program offerings to make the mentorship program more attractive and meaningful for students.
I would love to secure an endowment for RTE, which would provide a stable and sustainable source of funding, allowing us to commit to serving a definitive number of students each year. This would ensure the long-term viability of the program and enable us to scale our efforts to meet the needs of a growing student population.
Q: How did you get involved in RTE? What drew you to it?
My last career was a 16 year tenure as VP of Human Resources for a private equity firm. Afterwards, I spent four years volunteering at the Paly College & Career Counseling Center (CCC) at the same time that my daughters and their peers were navigating the college process. I found that many students sought assistance from advisors to help with college applications, essays, and other aspects of the process. Our family decided to navigate this process on our own. Through my work and volunteer experiences, I became acutely aware of the barriers that financially challenged students encounter when pursuing higher education and that there was a need to address these obstacles and provide support to young adults striving to achieve their academic and career goals. I joined RTE to help create a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape.
Q: What have been the most rewarding aspects of your work?
The most rewarding aspects of my work are with the impact I see on my students and the collaborative efforts of the mentorship team and organization I work with.
First and foremost, witnessing the growth and success of my students brings me immense joy -whether it's academic achievements, personal milestones, or overcoming challenges. Seeing them thrive fills me with pride and happiness.
I am incredibly grateful to work alongside a dedicated and compassionate group of mentors. Their unwavering commitment to supporting our students and their forward-thinking approach to improving our programs and services inspire me every day. Additionally, being part of an organization that is dedicated to serving the needs of underserved students has been both fulfilling and rewarding. Collaborating with our board members to shape the direction and growth of the organization has been an exciting journey. Together, we have worked tirelessly to expand our reach, strengthen our programs, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
Q: What do you do as Mentorship Chair?
Mentorship: I mentor students and alumni. I provide guidance, support, and encouragement to help them navigate academic, career, and personal challenges. I advocate for their success, offer insights, help them navigate challenges and provide advice based on my own experiences and expertise.
Recruitment and Leadership: I recruit and manage mentors. I provide leadership and direction to the mentorship team and support a collaborative environment that encourages mentor engagement and inspires new ideas.
Resource Creation and Development: I research and create resources and materials to support mentors and mentees which include, but are not limited to, an online resource center, workshops, panels, community mentorship, peer mentorship, mental health resources, and community relationships.
Alumni Advising: I provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and career advice to help alumni navigate the challenges of post-graduation life and achieve their professional goals.
Salesforce Administration: I manage various aspects of this to track mentorship program data, mentor-mentee relationships, and also to generate reports for program management and to solicit funding from grants.
Collaboration and Partnerships: I collaborate with other organizations similar to RTE to exchange best practices, share resources, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Q: What do you look for in mentors?
I look for individuals with a diverse range of experiences and expertise, which include are not limited to:
Empathy and Understanding: Mentors who have personal experience with children navigating college, students who have recently gone through college, or individuals who understand resources available to students and can empathize with the challenges students face. They can relate to the anxieties, uncertainties, and pressures that come with the college journey.
- Knowledge and Expertise: While not all mentors need to have direct experience in every aspect of the experiences students face in college, it's beneficial to have individuals who are knowledgeable about different facets of the journey. Mentors who understand the financial aid process, the intricacies of navigating mental health issues and learning disabilities, and the various resources at college can provide valuable guidance and support to students.
- Adaptability and Flexibility: Every student's journey through college is unique, and mentors must be adaptable and flexible in their approach. They should be willing to tailor their guidance to meet the individual needs and circumstances of each student.
- Commitment and Dedication: I seek mentors who are dedicated to supporting students every step of the way, genuinely invested in the success and well-being of their mentees and, hopefully make a significant difference in guiding them towards their academic and career goals.
Q: How long have you volunteered with RTE and what has changed over that time?
I joined in the summer of 2018 and there are many ways in which the organization has evolved since then.
Recruiting Mentors and Developing Structured Mentorship Program: In 2019, I became the only mentor for the Paly classes graduating in 2015-2019. By 2020, I was the only mentor for 60 students. Between the classes of 2021 and 2023 we brought on board five new mentors who mentored between 5 to 11 students per graduating class. In 2021, with the addition of new mentors, we began the development of onboarding programs, workshops, and events, and enhancing the support provided to students. Bringing on additional mentors, meant more support for our students and also better ideas about how to better support our students.
Enhanced Scholar Recruitment Process: RTE transitioned from relying on the CCC identifying students for RTE to collaborating with the Paly Scholarship Committee (PSC) to identify eligible students for RTE scholarships. This has allowed us to reach those with the greatest financial need.
Community Engagement and Resources: We connect with the community and gain access to resources for students, such as mental health support and career-building opportunities. These partnerships expand the range of support services available to students and contribute to their overall success and well-being.
Improved Tracking Infrastructure: RTE transitioned from manual tracking of student and donor information in Excel spreadsheets to implementing Salesforce.
Standardized Scholarship Structure: RTE established scholarship amounts and duration limits for our scholarships to set clear expectations with students and help with long term budget goals.
Alumni Engagement and Peer Mentorship: Engaging RTE alumni as board members and peer mentors creates a sense of continuity and community within the organization. Alumni not only provides valuable support to current students but also provides valuable feedback as to how to better reach and provide resources to our students.
Initially, RTE relied heavily on fundraising events such as auctions and other community gatherings to generate revenue. However, over time, there has been a shift towards a more strategic focus on securing grants and donations from our community.
Q: What have been the most challenging aspects of your work?
Losing Contact with Students: One of the most challenging aspects is when we lose contact with students and are unsure of their well-being or reasons for disengagement. Not knowing if they are facing difficulties, struggling with personal issues, or simply choosing not to communicate is difficult.
Post-Graduation Employment: While our primary mission is to support students in their academic journey, we also aim to help them transition successfully into the workforce. However, many students end up returning to their high school jobs after college, despite the sacrifices they made and the financial challenges they faced. We are working on ways to build their confidence during their college career to better equip them to enter the job force upon graduation.
Securing Long-Term Mentor Commitment: Building strong, lasting relationships between mentors and students is crucial for the success of our program. However, finding mentors who are willing to commit to students through their graduation can be challenging.
Q: What goals do you have in terms of evolving the mentorship program?
I hope to develop ongoing training and resources for mentors and mentees to enhance the quality of mentorship and improve outcomes for mentees.
Another goal is to develop enhanced program offerings to make the mentorship program more attractive and meaningful for students.
I would love to secure an endowment for RTE, which would provide a stable and sustainable source of funding, allowing us to commit to serving a definitive number of students each year. This would ensure the long-term viability of the program and enable us to scale our efforts to meet the needs of a growing student population.