MentorConnect

Cultivating Leaders in Community Development

May 2025 - October 2025

About

MentorConnect, a collaboration between Glenville State University, West Virginia University, and USDA Rural Development, connects experienced community development leaders with emerging professionals across WV. Designed to support knowledge exchange and leadership growth, the program pairs mentors and proteges for six months of guided relationship-building, complemented by professional development sessions provided by the WVU Purpose Center on topics that can apply directly to both personal and professional lives of participants. Professionals from all fields are encouraged to participate: workforce and education, economic development, public service, public health, government, and more.

Protege Candidates

• Fewer than five years experience in community development or public service.
• Preference will be giving to those who live, work or are deeply engaged in one of the 20 WV RPN counties.
• Permission from supervisor to participate.
• Protege Applicattion

Mentor Candidates

• Minimum of five years experience in community development or public service.
• Reside and/or work in West Virginia.
• Demonstrated leadership, supervisory or mentorship experience.
• Mentor Application

Important Dates

• Deadline to Apply: April 25, 2025
• Informational Q&A: April 23 - Register Here
• Participants Notified by May 9, 2025

Course Descriptions

All program events will be held virtually, 12 pm - 1 pm.

Partner meeting schedule will be determined by individual pairs. It is recommended to meet 1 - 2x per month. All participants should be prepared to commit 2- 4 hours per month to the program.

Mentor Program Virtual Kickoff - Wednesday, May 21st

This structured virtual kickoff will provide an overview of the six-month mentorship program, set expectations and introduce participants to their roles. In breakout sessions, mentors and proteges will explore best practices for building successful partnerships, learn how to get the most out of the program and learn how to set themselves up for success.

Strengths 101 - Wednesday, June 25th

Strengths 101 is an introductory session to help you lay the foundation and continue learning about strengths. You’ll learn some quick history and facts and then dive into some reflection and practical application for your top five strengths. We recommend this workshop ahead of attending others.

Introduction to Self-Leadership - Wednesday, July 23rd

Self-Leadership is the practice of understanding who you are, making sense of your experiences, identifying your goals, and intentionally guiding yourself toward those goals. In this 60-minute workshop, you’ll learn the importance of leading yourself well as the foundation for leading others well and explore the four elements of self-leadership: self-discovery, self-acceptance, self-management, and self-growth.

Authentic Personal Branding - Wednesday, August 27th

In this 60-minute workshop, we will explore how to create an authentic personal brand by discovering your WHY and values and utilizing your CliftonStrengths®. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of creating intentional personal branding and a personal statement they can use in a variety of ways including on linked in, networking, or in job/internship interviews.

Exploring Resilience: Building Self-Efficacy - Wednesday, September 24th

Resilience is the key to resisting stress, rebounding from it, and being your best. Exploring Resilience lays the foundation for all other resilience workshops. In this workshop we’ll define resilience and what it means to us, evaluate our current levels of resilience and identify areas for growth while exploring our self-efficacy and strategies for building self-efficacy.

Full Circle Close Out - Wednesday, October 29th

This celebratory closing session will bring together mentors and proteges to reflect on their growth, share key takeaways, and honor the relationships built over the last six months. Through guided reflection and celebration, participants will leave feeling inspired and equipped to carry their momentum forward.

Contact

For More Information
Contact Kayleigh Kyle
kayleigh.kyle@usda.gov

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