Illini Way Mentorship Program Wraps Up with Annual Breakfast Celebration

The Illini Way Student-Athlete Development Office wrapped up its six-month mentorship program on March 28 by bringing together participants for the annual Mentorship Appreciation Breakfast.  

The Illini Way Mentorship Program was founded through a collaboration between the Varsity "I" Alumni Association and the Illini Way Student-Athlete Development Office, with the vision of pairing current student-athletes with former student-athletes and professionals to help guide them through their collegiate experience and prepare them for life beyond their respective sports. 

"The goal of our office is to support student-athletes throughout their time in college and as they transition out of sport and prepare for what comes next," said Mary Long, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Fellow and program lead. "This program is one of the many ways we fulfill that mission. Because our students come from such diverse backgrounds and experiences, this program gives us the opportunity to offer personalized support, ensuring that each student-athlete has someone in their corner, helping to fill in any gaps in knowledge and offering guidance they might not otherwise receive." 

Throughout the years, the program has continued to grow, not only in size, but also in depth. This year's cohort included 41 participants across 14 different sports, and it featured mentors from 12 distinct industries, including healthcare, finance, law, media, and more. While many mentors are former Fighting Illini, the network has expanded to include University of Illinois alumni, professionals from the Champaign-Urbana community, Chicagoland professionals, and others nationwide. 

A key goal this year was to build more intentional programming. Throughout the program, the team emphasized a student-centered approach, empowering participants to shape the programming based on their individual needs.  

At the kickoff event, student-athletes identified three areas of personal interest they hoped to explore with their mentors, ranging from finding internships and understanding corporate language to outlining post-graduation career paths.  

As student-athletes focused on those interests in their mentor meetings, the Illini Way staff worked to create complementary workshops that offered practical, tangible skill-building opportunities. They partnered with Altius Sports Partners to co-develop and facilitate the sessions with specific goals in mind: Underclassmen learned about the value of networking and crafted elevator pitches, while upperclassmen learned about interview strategies and how to negotiate salary offers.  

At the concluding Mentorship Appreciation Breakfast, the theme of the event was "Fostering Meaningful Connections." The breakfast allowed the student-athletes to reflect on their skills as student-athletes and how they can add value to their relationships with their mentors in addition to learning how to build more sustainable relationships for their network. An emphasis was placed that these relationships should not be transactional but rather come from a genuine connection over shared experiences and values. Often, these are the types of relationships that will turn into lifelong relationships.

This sentiment was perfectly captured by JJ Simmons, a 2006 Illinois football alum, who spoke about the lasting impact of the mentorship experience. 

"Being part of the Illinois mentorship program is one of the most meaningful things I get to do as an alum," Simmons said. "It's more than advice or career tips; it's about showing the next generation of Illini that they are capable of greatness long after their playing days are over. It's a reminder that the Illinois family doesn't end at graduation; it's for life. I'm proud to be a part of that. I-L-L." 

His mentee, freshman gymnast Chloe Cho, appreciated having a mentor who understood her unique experience as a student-athlete. 

"The mentorship program gave me a great platform to learn from someone who has lived the student-athlete experience," Cho said. "JJ was inspiring, driven, and always willing to lend a hand." 

Former Illini women's golf student-athlete and mentor Aundie Owens ('21) also reflected on the full-circle moment of returning to the program. 

"As a former mentee in this program, it means the world to now serve as a mentor," Owens said. "Supporting Violeta, my mentee, has been incredibly rewarding, especially since I was in her shoes not long ago. We have talked about her career goals, life after tennis, and how to maintain identity beyond sport. Cheering her on at a match this January with my kids, who attended their first Illini match, was a full-circle reminder of how impactful this community is." 

"I built a strong relationship with an alum who really helped me clarify what life after college could look like," Violeta Martinez said. "I'm so grateful for the support I've received from Aundie." 

At its heart, the Illini Way Mentorship Program is about more than just career preparation; it's about fostering meaningful connections, building confidence, and creating relationships that bridge generations of Illini that carry far beyond campus. It's a testament to the dedication of both mentors and student-athletes who invest their time and energy into personal and professional growth. 

For those interested in participating in future years, either as a mentor or mentee, please contact Shanika Mungin, Assistant Director of Athletics, Student-Athlete Development, at smungin@illinois.edu.