Saint Anselm College students are getting ahead of the game – taking advantage of their sophomore year to build long-lasting relationships with alumni. As part of the Sophomore Experience, the Sophomore-Alumni Mentorship Program connects second-year students with Saint Anselm alumni as they navigate their college journey.
“This program demonstrates how lessons learned at Saint Anselm extend far beyond the classroom—whether through exploring career paths, gaining insight into law school, strengthening professional skills, or discovering new ways to apply their passions,” said Karlea Brunelle, associate dean of student development & mission. “Alumni are equally committed, often striving to be the mentors they wished they had themselves, providing workplace experiences, career advice, and lasting connections that help students envision not just one path, but many possibilities for their future.”
The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Office of Alumni Relations and the Office of Student Development and Mission designed to support students through their second year of college; a time that can be pivotal in terms of finding a passion or career path. The program is also meaningful to alumni, who have the chance give back to the Hilltop community. Since the program launched in Spring 2021, more than 40 alumni have participated, sharing their time and expertise with current students.
What makes the program unique is that it does not simply pair an alum with a current student, it pairs Anselmian with Anselmian. For sophomores, their mentor has been in their shoes. They understand what opportunities are available on and off campus, so they can give specific tips on how to maximize all the possibilities that exist during the college years.
For alumni, they get to see themselves in their mentees and hear about the exciting changes that arrive on the Hilltop each year.
Pairs are selected based on academic interests, fields of study, on-campus engagement, and post-graduate opportunities, ensuring each student and alum can get the most out of the program.
One such match was made between Ashley Tineo Polanco ’27 and Meredith Broad ’22.
Broad, who studied psychology as an undergraduate at Saint Anselm, forged a relationship with Tineo Polanco, a Social Work major, throughout the entirety of sophomore year. She took the time to provide insight into her experience in pursuing a Master of Social Work degree (MSW).
As she looked toward post-graduate opportunities, Broad recalled wondering whether a master’s degree was the right decision for her. Now knowing the ins and outs of the process, she wanted to help a student like her navigate the same path.
“I know I would have benefited from speaking with someone in the field,” she explained. “It felt full circle to be able to have those conversations with a current student knowing I was in her shoes just a few years prior.”
For Tineo Polanco, the program allowed her to build a meaningful, lasting connection with someone in the career she wants to pursue.
“It makes me super excited for the future,” she shared.
On Sept. 23, 2025, Jeremiah Wood ’18 joined Bennet Ronayne ’27 and Jake Strittmatter ’27 to share with sophomores the value of mentorship as this year’s program officially kicked off. Many students remain connected with their mentors long after the program ends. One alum reflected, “My goal was to develop a connection and offer resources for a lasting relationship. Pivotal moments happen in junior and senior year, and I wanted my mentee to know I would still be available after this semester.”
Wood noted that the student he once mentored is now his colleague in the industry. Students consistently highlight the benefits of mentorship—whether it’s through résumé reviews, networking that leads to internships, workplace visits, or guidance on co-curricular and leadership opportunities at Saint Anselm. As participants emphasize, the connection is truly what you make of it.