Mentoring Program

Mentor-Protégé Profiles

• Ashley Kraner '15 and Jean Reynolds

  Last year, I had the privilege of being a student in the Freshman Year Experience course, Women in Leadership. The conclusion of that inspiring course brought with it President Kathy Krendl’s Mentorship Program, in which I became protégé to Jean Reynolds, Vice President Director of Planning & Expense Management at State Auto Insurance.

  Since then, Jean has taught me irreplaceable lessons in setting goals, prioritizing, and developing skills for a successful and professional future. I have had the fortune of accompanying her to events like the DSW Fall Preview Show, the Goodwill Board Annual Fundraiser, and even Disney On Ice with her family. From dinner invitations at her favorite restaurant, to offering her guest room for the weekend, Jean has become an unwavering example of selflessness for me.

  Through the Mentorship Program, I have found not only an incredible role model for my future career goals, but also a friend. Even when I may not always listen to every post on Facebook, or keep every coffee date we plan, Jean shows resilient patience. Someday I hope to be able to give back these lessons I have learned, and to become a role model for my own protégé. The Mentorship Program has shown me that we all need someone in our lives to believe in us more than we can for ourselves, and push us to our full potential.

• Cherelle Hines '14 and Guadalupe Velasquez

  My experience being a protégé of an influential woman like Ms. Guadalupe Velasquez can be described in one word: amazing. It truly has been an amazing and life-changing experience. I have not been the same Cherelle I once was back in March. It all kicked off during our match-up meet and greet. From that moment we knew we had the perfect matches. I was beyond excited to see the wonderful things I would do with my mentor.

  Having a mentor has given me a new outlook on life and I cherish that deeply. My mentor has opened my eyes to see exactly how great Columbus is. I dream bigger, have bigger ambitions, and have a new sense of drive all because of what my mentor has accomplished and what she has shown me. I’ve volunteered for the Women’s Fund, drank expensive tea at the opening of Zen Cha Tea Salon, listened to renowned speakers, and met female CEO’s, entrepreneurs, and State representatives. I also had the wonderful opportunity to intern with Guadalupe and I’ve appeared on television. You see why I describe my experience as amazing?

  I am truly thankful and advocate to all of my friends to invest in having a professional woman to look up to. They can have a confidante, a friend, a supporter, and a cheerleader by finding a mentor. That is truly what I have gained.

• Casey Buckler '13 and Debbie Johnson

  Last year, I had the opportunity to work closely with President Krendl and her Women and Leadership class as a peer mentor. Throughout the semester, the class heard from various panels made up of women leaders in the community from many different fields. I enjoyed serving as a peer mentor to the class and it was a joy to get to know and to help the students in the class become involved at Otterbein.

  At the end of last fall semester, I was paired with Debbie Johnson, my mentor. Debbie and I instantly clicked and since then, we have stayed connected and been able to do a lot of fun things together. We have enjoyed coffee at Java Central, spending time to get to know each other. We have visited the Franklin Park Conservatory to see the butterflies. And we have attended many events focused on women in leadership and leadership development in general.

  Having a mentor has impacted me greatly. I have grown and feel more confident in myself as a leader. Having Debbie as a mentor has also really helped me to understand the importance of networking. I had always heard others stress the importance of networking, but never really understood how to get out there and network myself. One of the things I am most grateful to Debbie for, is that she invited me into her network circle and has introduced me to individuals who I have learned a lot from. Most importantly, I now know how to network and have strategies for doing so.

  I am excited to take part in another mentoring opportunity with President Krendl’s class this year as a Sister in Leadership (a peer mentor). I think this is a great opportunity, not only to pass along what we have learned from our mentors and our time here at Otterbein with another student, but also to continue our growth as leaders.