Tar Heels helping Tar Heels: industry professionals leading the next generation through HSAA’s mentorship program 

Since 2017, the Hussman School Alumni Association (HSAA) Mentorship Program has helped UNC Hussman students prepare for their careers by connecting them with alumni working in their fields of interest. 

Former co-presidents of the HSAA, John Frank ’04, ’16 (M.A.) and Justin Lyons ’06, started the program to establish a legacy initiative for students through the school. The mentorship program allows alumni to offer their experience to help students prepare for the professional world by helping them practice interviews and prepare resumes.  

“The focus was on the mentees, but I think the mentors found it valuable to connect with the next generation of journalists and communicators, as well as give back to the school,” said Frank. 

After helping establish the program, Lyons has participated as a mentor himself — including for the 2025-26 program — guiding students through career mapping, resume design development, interview preparation, professional networking and more. 

“It was fascinating to gain insight into the students’ experience today – what they’re studying, how they’re navigating their journeys, what has changed since I was walking into Carroll Hall, etc.,” said Lyons. “My college experience illuminated that it takes a village to build your career, so I hope that being a mentor can play a small role in helping students successfully navigate the transition from school to the workforce.” 

Robby Marshall ’07, current president of the UNC Hussman Alumni Board, finds the program to be a two-way street, with mentees helping mentors just as much as mentors help mentees.  

“I have been a UNC Hussman mentor multiple years, and we keep in touch,” said Marshall. “These are lifelong relationships with an open door to text or call anytime. Each mentee is now a growing professional, learning, failing and improving – a daily progress we all strive for.” 

Marshall describes the program as a safe and fun way to practice leading a long-term conversation and partnership, which is a crucial skill in any field. 

“Asking for help of any kind takes courage,” said Marshall. “Mentors will appreciate and respect you for asking, and they will love to help you.” 

Assistant Director of Career Services Heather Stevenson took over the program in 2022. Stevenson pairs up to 50 students each year with hand-picked industry professionals who fit their interests and goals. The program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. 

“Ultimately to me, mentorship is the way life works,” said Stevenson. “I truly am a Tar Heel helping Tar Heels. Not only for what I do, but also with this program.” 

Applications for students to apply for the program typically open and close in March. Pairs are matched at the beginning of the next academic school year, with the program officially kicking off at the beginning of the semester.  

Mentees’ Perspectives  

Erik Haynes ’25 participated in the mentorship program in the 2024-25 academic year. His favorite part of the program was having a mentor, Jackson Jones ’18, who had walked in his shoes. The connection made a huge impact on his career. 

“Jackson introduced me to valuable networking opportunities and helped me explore different careers within broadcast production,” said Haynes. “Through his guidance, I connected with a recruiter and secured an internship during the second semester of my senior year that directly contributed to landing my current role with the Minnesota Vikings.” 

Haynes gained the most out of his mentorship experience by treating it like a class. He came prepared to meetings, set goals and wasn’t afraid to ask questions and step out of his comfort zone. “Your mentor is there to support you, but it’s up to you to take initiative and make the most of the opportunity,” said Haynes. 

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Mollie Mitchell ’25 (M.A.) also participated in the program in the 2024-25 academic year. Her favorite part was being matched with her mentor and having their monthly chats.  

“My mentor talked a lot about her career path and experience and was able to show me that there’s not always a linear path,” said Mitchell. “She gave me a lot of advice on how to navigate post-grad and was able to connect me with a lot of people that I’ve had networking calls with.” 

Through this program, Mitchell learned about job searching through the eyes of a professional. Her mentor helped by relating to her own experience and difficulty of navigating the industry. 

Mitchell’s advice for future students: “Be open! I was nervous before I met my mentor, but it turned out to be a perfect match, and we got along so well.” 

Mentors’ Perspectives  

Jones began his time as a mentor with the program in 2023 and has maintained long-lasting connections with his mentees. A major part of his undergraduate experience was the networking opportunities available with the professionals in the school. He called it a privilege to return the opportunity to current students. 

“What I enjoyed the most is tailoring the experience to the mentees,” said Jones. “Going in with an open mind about what was best for each of them allowed me to maintain productive relationships and be flexible to change as the year progressed.” 

According to Jones, the most beneficial part of the program is that it gives UNC Hussman students a clearer view of what career paths might look like in the modern economy. Through conversations with their mentors, students can tailor their class schedules, pursue relevant internships and explore other networking opportunities as they discover potential career paths. 

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Meg McDonald ’06 began her time as a mentor with the program in 2018 and has continued each year since. For her, it’s not just about the impact she has on her mentees, but also the impact they have on her. 

“For mentors, this program keeps us connected to the next generation’s perspectives and reminds us of current industry trends through fresh eyes,” said McDonald. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to watch someone grow and know you played a part in their journey.” 

McDonald keeps up with several of her former mentees and encourages her new ones to stay in touch at the end of each year. She and her first mentee, Excellence Perry ’21, have maintained their relationship with McDonald helping Perry navigate a career change. A few months after talking it through, Perry landed a role in his desired field. He let McDonald know that her advice and support played a valuable role during his time at UNC and throughout the next steps of his journey. “THIS is what it’s all about!” said McDonald.  

“We were all once UNC Hussman students,” said McDonald. “What a joy it is to impart some of the knowledge and experience I’ve gained along the way to help those stepping into the shoes I wore almost 20 years ago. I look forward to continuing this journey with future mentees and watching the next generation of UNC Hussman graduates make their mark.”