School of Business Administration

Navigating the world of business education can feel overwhelming, especially for students just beginning their academic journey. At the University of Dayton's School of Business Administration (SBA), the new Faculty Micro-Mentoring Program is stepping in to help, offering students direct access to expert faculty for one-time, discipline-specific mentoring sessions. This program is designed to empower students to make informed decisions and tackle real-life scenarios with confidence, ensuring they stay on track toward their professional goals.

A formal path to expertise

While students often benefit from informal guidance from faculty during office hours or at student organization meetings, there are moments when a quick, focused mentorship session is needed. The SBA Faculty Micro-Mentoring Program formalizes this process, ensuring that all SBA students have a clear pathway to access faculty expertise for discipline-specific questions. Whether a student is deciding between internship offers or contemplating graduate school, the Micro-Mentor Program provides the tailored guidance they need — quickly and effectively.

Holistic Academic Advisors, the primary source of guidance for undergraduate students, refer students to faculty micro-mentors through the Student Success Network. This system ensures that students can receive the expertise they need without delay, complementing the ongoing mentorship they may already have with faculty. Each major in the SBA has two or more faculty micro-mentors on standby to join a student’s Flight Crew for a micro-mentoring session — a low-time-commitment meeting that delivers high-impact support.

Empowering students to excel

The Micro-Mentoring Program is designed to give students the tools they need to succeed both academically and professionally. The focused, one-time sessions allow students to address pressing questions and concerns, such as:

• “I’m deciding between two job offers. Could you help me weigh the professional benefits of each?”
• “What courses should I take to prepare for graduate school?”
• “How can I tailor my resume to be a competitive candidate for internships in my field?”
• “I am deciding between two different minors. How could these minors benefit my professional life after graduation?”

These are just a few of the many questions faculty micro-mentors can help students navigate, providing invaluable insights that students may not easily find elsewhere. Each mentoring session is designed to assist in preparing students for creating an academic path that speaks to their interests and goals - helping them make the best choices in their college career for their future career.

Strengthening faculty-student connections

This initiative not only benefits students but also deepens the relationship between students and faculty. The program allows faculty members to share their expertise in a structured and efficient way. As Tim Keune, Ph.D., CPA, chair of the Department of Accounting, notes, “I am always willing to help students find their path in accounting because there are so many great opportunities and the profession has a growing need for young talent.  There are a lot of things students must figure out, but the rewards are well worth it.  If I can help a student make an informed decision that is best for them, then it is a win for the student, UD, and the profession.”

Keune’s sentiment is echoed by Marsha Keune, Ph.D., senior associate dean of the SBA, who highlights the rewarding nature of these interactions: “From our faculty perspective, these are the fun and rewarding topics to discuss with students; this is why many of our faculty became faculty. From a student perspective, they can feel comfortable knowing that micro-mentors have signed on to have these conversations on these important topics.”

A commitment to student success

Faculty micro-mentors will undergo annual training on mentoring techniques and Student Success Network protocols, ensuring they are well-prepared to support students. Departments will regularly update their lists of faculty micro-mentors, ensuring that students always have access to the expertise they need, when they need it most.

By equipping students with personalized guidance and fostering meaningful faculty-student connections, the SBA Faculty Micro-Mentoring Program helps students make confident, informed decisions. This program is more than just mentorship — it’s a direct investment in the success and future of every SBA student. "Faculty members at UD, especially in the School of Business, are incredibly approachable and genuinely invested in students' success," said Anna Capaci, a senior accounting student in the School of Business Administration. "Whether it’s going to their office hours or attending a three-hour class on a Saturday morning, you never know how these connections may impact your future."

As the SBA continues to innovate and provide new resources for student success, the Faculty Micro-Mentoring Program stands out as a key initiative, ensuring that no student has to navigate their academic or professional journey alone. Whether it’s choosing the right career path or preparing for life after graduation, SBA students have a powerful new tool to help them succeed.