Seidman Mentorship Podcast

Gillian Venditelli, a recent Seidman Graduate, shares her experiences and wisdom about being a GV student, entrepreneurship, and the transition to professional life.  Gillian answers student questions about what it is like to graduate and step into work life.  

Today Shayla and I are doing something a little bit different on the show. We are going to answer some of your questions. So these are questions that we either have received or we've heard over the the span of the Mentorship Program. If you'd like to join the conversation or have a question answered or would like insight, feel free to email us at [email protected]. And when we do another one of these, we may read your question on the air. You can also submit anonymous feedback if you'd like. We always enjoy having these conversations, reading these, so you can't see in the studio, but we don't have any producers. So, what Shayla and I have done, is taken all of the feedback that we've gotten and questions that we have, and we've created the "Bowl of Mystery". 

Today on the show, Gerry welcomes Patrick Scheffers, Commercial Relationship Manager at Huntington Bank in 2013 Seidman alumni. Recently, Patrick was honored as Pro Mentor of the Year by the Seidman Mentorship Program. In today's episode, Patrick discusses his secrets for a successful mentorship. Additionally, he shares practical financial insight helpful for every college student. 

 

Today on the show, Gerry welcomes Mike Messner, the Director of the Student Academic Success Center. Mike's a lifelong Laker holding two degrees from Grand Valley, a master's degree in higher education, and a bachelor's degree in biology. In today's episode, Mike throws a lifeline for the most troubling student concerns --mental health concerns, tutoring with Grand Valley's hardest classes, along with professional and academic success services. Mike demonstrates his excellence in student affairs with over 18 years of experience at Grand Valley. 

 Today on the show, I welcome President Emeritus Tom Haas, better known as T Haas. The fourth president of Grand Valley is legendary for his connection with students. Many students treasure their selfie with T Haas, and he always made time for them. T Haas has many titles and accolades, including Coast Guard Captain, president of the State University of New York, several doctorates, and is a current professor, teaching leadership at Grand Valley. We discussed the role of multi-generational mentors and how the spirit of making each other better is at the heart of mentorship. 

Today on the show, I host Dr. Diana Lawson, Dean of the Seidman College of Business. Lawson earned her PhD from Kent State University in 1993, an MBA and a Master's degree from Kent State. Also a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York College at Cortland. It was Diana Lawson who had the vision for the Seidman Mentorship Program. We discussed why she thinks mentoring is important for today's students and how they can be bold in their what if thinking about life. 

 Gerry: (00:25)

Today on the show, I host the director of the GVSU Career Center, Troy Farley. Troy's an alumni from the 1980s when Grand Valley was still a college and not yet a university. He shares insights for both students and employers on how mentorship can lead to employment while enriching the experience of life. 

Today on the show, I welcome Phil Sims. Phil and I talk about self-mentoring. Can you go it alone? How to get the most out of your mentorship and the internal dialogue that causes us to fear failure and run from success. Phil's a 2010 graduate from the Seidman College of Business School of Accounting. He's been a CEO, worked in the public sector, and even done turnarounds as a business consultant. Phil's a friend of the program and has mentored many students. 

Today on the show, I welcome Professor Leslie Lynch. Professor Lynch is an affiliative practice at Grand Valley State University, Seidman College of Business, where she instructs undergraduate and graduate students. Few instructors have as much professional experience as Professor Lynch. She talks about making difficult business decisions as an executive, shares experiences, and tells students what they need to know about today's world in business. She even hits a few hard balls out of the park talking about work-life balance and the realities of being an executive. She shares ideas on how to use and find mentors, grow, learn, do, and be. 

Today on the show, I welcome Professor Kevin Lehnart. Professor Lehnert has a Ph.D. in international marketing business from St. Louis University, an MBA in economics from Loyola, a MA in philosophy from Boston College, and two BAs in philosophy and psychology from St. Louis University. Professor Lehnert and I talk about the walls and pathways that students encounter when they first come to Grand Valley and the opening ways in which we can better mentor each other. And throughout the entire university, we focus on vulnerability. A concept that seems simple at first and is at the key and the heart of mentorship.