ZEN Alumni Mentoring Program
The Zankel Experience Network (ZEN) Mentoring Program matches Skidmore students at the start of their junior year with Skidmore alumni who have similar career interests.
Student-mentor pairs meet (virtually or in-person) throughout the academic year and the mentorship can include:
- Identifying career goals and the steps necessary to achieve them
- Discussing career resources and strategies used by the mentors
- Reviewing students’ resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and other tools
- Facilitating connections and recommending networking opportunities
To foster a sense of program cohesion, student participants are invited to get together at several informal campus meetings throughout the year, and mentors are invited to attend virtual gatherings. These meetings are an opportunity to connect with others, reflect on challenges, and share experiences.
2025-2026 ZEN Mentoring Program and Application
We’re excited to be able to accommodate 60 student-mentor pairs in 2025-2026. Members of the class of 2027 are invited to apply this summer and will attend a brief orientation session if accepted. Matched student-mentor pairs will begin meeting when the program kicks off in early October.
About the ZEN Network
The Zankel Experience Network was established in 2020 by trustee Jimmy Zankel ’92 and Pia Scala-Zankel ’92 to build on and encourage the support of like-minded donors who hope to expand Skidmore’s commitment to experiential learning, including the Summer Experience Fund, SEE-Beyond Awards, Faculty-Student Summer Research, and the ZEN Alumni Mentoring Program.