Since the College graduated its first coeducational class fewer than thirty years ago, women leaders from the College have entered every walk of life. While the idea of women at Columbia now seems commonplace, establishing a well-connected and supportive community is still a fledgling initiative. We ask you to join us in playing a crucial role with our current students — as a mentor, advisor or friend — as the next generation looks to forge new frontiers. With the launch of the new Columbia College Women (CCW) online mentoring platform, the opportunity to meet current students and share your experience and knowledge is now easier and more personal than ever.

The new online mentoring platform will open January 23 so that alumnae and students can build their profiles. On February 6, members can start connecting and making their mentoring matches. Create your account before February 5 so you and a student can find the perfect match.

Being a mentor with Columbia College Women can have an impact on both current students and alumnae. Says Kipling Hill CC’10, who mentors undergraduates through the program: “I started as a mentee the fall of my junior year, so I’ve been involved with the program since 2008. I’ve been very fortunate to have some really great mentors in my life and I’ve seen the impact they’ve had on me, so I wanted to give back and help people in the way that I’ve been helped myself.”

This year, CCW will be pioneering a new way to connect students and alumnae who are interested in joining the mentorship program — the new online platform will make it easy for alumnae and students to connect quickly online and find a great match. In addition to mentoring opportunities, alumnae can use the platform to connect with each other and share resources like job opportunities, industry advice, articles and more.

“We have some pretty exciting programming, events and ideas coming up this year,” says Anne-Marie Brillantes CC’89, the Mentoring Chair of the CCW Board. “The launch of this new online platform gives us a lot more data, availability, outreach and flexibility to create new programs, reach out to the members and really get everybody involved in the events we’re launching this year.”

Mentoring is an exciting way to meet current students and provide real support to another generation of Columbia College Women who we believe will change the world. Brillantes CC’89 adds, “It’s a wonderful relationship that ultimately develops. It’s nice to hear students’ perspectives and for students to have someone to bounce off questions and ideas with. I think the mentors absolutely get a rich relationship out of it.”

Check out our FAQ on the new online platform to answer any questions you may have, and sign up here!