Welcome Dean's Alumni Ambassadors

Thank you for volunteering your valuable time! Mentoring a student can be one of the most rewarding ways to support the school. 

Your role as a mentor

The primary goal of a mentor is to introduce our current pharmacy students to professional career opportunities under the guidance of our graduates working in a variety of practice and business settings. In addition, this program provides students the opportunity to develop relationships with practicing pharmacy professionals.

Your role is to volunteer your time and knowledge by serving as guides, advisors, idea generators, and information providers. Best of all, you have full discretion to determine your time commitment. The full mentoring process could be as simple as a Zoom, a phone call, connecting via social media, an email exchange or an in-depth conversation over a cup of coffee – your choice based on your schedule!

If you have any updates to your preferred email contact information, title or place of employment, please email pharm-admit@buffalo.edu.

Suggested discussion topics

  • Potential career paths
  • Job searching
  • Continuing education
  • CVs and cover letters
  • Relocation information/housing considerations
  • Maintaining your own practice
  • Managing a budget
  • Balancing work and family
  • Professional associations
  • Industry information
  • Other advice and tips including “life lessons"

Mentors should NOT tutor or provide academic advisement or crisis counseling. In situations like this, please refer the student to Jennifer Rosenberg, PhD, associate dean for Student Success and Engagement.

How to be a good mentor

For most people, good mentoring, like good teaching, is a skill that is developed over time.

  • Take students seriously. A question or problem that seems trivial or irrelevant might not be, or it might mask a more serious issue.
  • Be constructive. Critical feedback is important, but do it kindly and temper criticism with praise when deserved.
  • Don’t dictate answers. Make suggestions and allow students to make choices.
  • Be frank and direct. Let students know what you can and cannot offer in the mentoring relationship.
  • Invite other mentors. Acknowledge that students would benefit from multiple mentors with varying experiences.
  • Meet on “neutral ground.” Consider meeting outside of your office in a more comfortable space such as a cafe.
  • Get together. Develop a relationship with simple activities like walks across campus, informal conversations over coffee, attending a lecture together – this will help to develop rapport.

Student involvement

We identify enthusiastic PharmD students who have expressed an interest in a mentor, invite them to connect with you via email, and remind them to follow-up. Please respond to student contacts!

New this year, we are pleased to welcome mentors for our students underrepresented in pharmacy (UIP).

Student are provided with these guidelines for a successful mentorship: Mentoring Tips for Students.

Helpful links