What is Success Connection Leadership Program?[top]

The Success Connection Leadership Program is a unique mentoring program that literally connects students with success by pairing students with highly accomplished Simmons alumnae who volunteer to host a student for job-shadowing at her place of work. Mentors are typically executive level alumnae and/or members of the Simmons Leadership Council (SLC). Student travel related expenses are paid for by the Office of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving. Most travel takes place in the Northeast and some shadowing experiences do not require travel outside of Massachusetts.

Who can apply to Success Connection?[top]

Success Connection is open to any rising senior (including Dix scholars) with good academic standing graduating in January or May.

What is the application process?[top]

There are three phases to the application process.

Step 1: Submit your complete application by the deadline: October 5, 2009. A reviewing committee consisting of Career Education Center, Alumni Office, and Student Life staff will read all completed applications.

Step 2: You will be notified in early-mid October if selected by the reviewing committee as a semi-finalist.

Step 3: If selected as a semi-finalist, you will be invited to sign up for an interview in middle-to-late October. The interview location and times are to be determined. Interview will last up to 20 minutes. Promptness and professional attire are important. You must sign up for your interview in-person at the designated sign-up sheet location. Spaces are limited so sign-up as soon as you are notified.

What is the timeline for Success Connection?[top]

The timeline for Success Connection Leadership Program 2009-2010 is:

• October 5, 2009: Deadline for applications (including résumé)
• October 9 - 12, 2009: Semi-finalists are selected and contacted; interviews sign-ups take place 
• October 19 - 30, 2009: Success Connection Interviews
• November 9, 2009: Finalists named
• Friday, December 11, 2009: Success Connection Student Launch Party (early afternoon) 
• January 2010 through April 30, 2010: Visit at mentor's place of work
• FYI: December 9: Final day of first semester classes
• FYI: December 18: Last day of first semester exams
• FYI: January 20: First day of second semester classes

Can you provide examples of mentors?[top]

Sample of Simmons Leadership Council members who mentor students:

• Carmen Baez '79, President, DAS Latin America, Omnicom Group (NYC)
• Cathie Behrend ’70, Professor, Fashion Institute of Technology and Founder, Ventures in Vision (NYC)
• Olivia Cohen-Cutler '75, VP, Broadcast Standards and Practices, ABC Entertainment Affairs
• Joyce Elden, '80, attorney (Florida)
• Paula Sneed '69, Former Group Executive Vice President Global Marketing Resources and Initiatives, Kraft Foods, Inc. (Northfield, IL)
• Bobbi Thompson ’77, Principal, Thompson Management, talent agency (Los Angeles, CA)
• Carol Waller Pope '74, Member, Federal Labor Relations Authority (Washington DC)

What happens next if I'm selected for the Success Connection Leadership Program?[top]

Each Success Connection student is required to attend the Success Connection Student Launch Party receives two orientations, both as part of a group meeting and individually. Full details and suggestions about contacting your mentor, researching her company/profession, preparing for your visit, travel arrangements, safety tips, etc. are provided. Success Connection students arrange to visit their mentor between January and April 30. Following their visit, students submit a brief essay about their experience.

Can you give some examples of Success Connection experiences?[top]

Here are some recent examples:

Elena Larson '07 and mentor Lauren Brisky '73, Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chancellor of Administration at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.
"My Success Connection experience with Lauren Brisky was one that allowed me to explore in greater depth a career path in which I am very interested. I glimpsed in Lauren what a career in higher education administration might look like for me as a future alumna of Simmons. I also had the opportunity to hone my informational interview skills and expand my knowledge of business etiquette, both of which are vital skills to my future professional life. The Success Connection program was a wonderful culmination to my career preparation at Simmons and is one that I will remember with appreciation for Lauren, Simmons, and Vanderbilt for years to come."

Liz Morency '07 and mentor Jane Buyers-Russo '81 at JP Morgan, New York, NY.
"My trip not only offered me the chance to connect with a Simmons alum, but it also took away much of the anxiety that I had concerning the unknown in the working world. It was great to be able to listen and apply the classroom skills I had to a real life situation. This was an instant boost of confidence in my abilities as a soon to be college graduate. While there is obviously much to be learned, it was nice to know that the education I am getting at Simmons will defiantly be put to good use in a future career! My experience far exceeded my expectations."

Emily Carallozzi '07 and mentor Olivia Cohen-Cutler '75, the Senior Vice-President of Broadcasting Standards and Practices for ABC, New York, NY.
"In December 2006 after going through the application process and receiving the incredible news that I would become a participant in the Success Connection program, I was thrilled. Just when I thought things couldn't get better, I received my placement. I was told that I would be going to New York City and shadowing Olivia Cohen-Cutler, the Senior Vice-President of Broadcasting Standards and Practices for ABC. That day opened up my tunnel vision eyes to what is possible. It gave me a chance to realize that being in LA, although a dream of mine, and something I know will eventually do, doesn't have to happen directly after graduation. I realized that there are so many different jobs that I want to explore in the entertainment industry. I realized that if I am persistent I can do this, and I realized that I am going to be OK on my own, after graduation. All of these realizations to me are priceless."

Jennifer Modzeleski '07 and mentor Grace Richardson '60, Head of the Board of Directors for the YWCA, New York, NY.
"Although Grace currently holds the position of Head of the Board of Directors for the YWCA, she is also a retired woman who has had an incredibly successful career working for well known companies such as Colgate and JCPenney. Therefore, since she is retired and is no longer at one organization, she scheduled meetings for me to meet with different women, all of whom were in positions which I am interested in. Grace is such an admirable woman and whoever gets the chance to meet with her in the coming years should consider themselves lucky, for she is truly a woman who has accomplished so much in her life and has so much knowledge to share with all of us. Success Connection is not just a program, but it is a journey of networking, forming bonds, and learning what it takes to truly be successful."

Katelyn Nadeau '07 and mentor Amy White '81, Cardinal Health in Dublin, Ohio.
"While I had done lots of traveling in the past, this was my first adventure to the Midwest as well as my first experience at a Fortune 500 company. Amy made the adjustment process very easy, greeted at the airport with a hug; I instantly felt at ease in her presence and geared up for our time together. I was amazed at the high level of composure she kept in an obviously fast-paced environment. During our time together, we also were able to swap travel stories and pictures from countries we had both visited, discuss the similarities and differences between our years at Simmons, and truly begin to develop a mentored relationship. Being part of this program was a great honor and I am so pleased to have been a participant. I foresee the relationship Amy and I have begun - growing over time and the Success Connection Program will keep on giving."

Olga Karagiannis '07 and mentor Cindy Carter '78, CEO of Washington Business Information, Inc., Washington DC.
"I almost did not apply for the Success Connection program. Somehow in my mind, I had convinced myself that what the directors were looking for were women with 4.0 GPAs involved with every student organization. It was not as though my resume could not hold its own, but I almost psyched myself out of participating in this great experience. Traveling alone is an experience in itself that every woman should do at least once in her life. I found it to be empowering to navigate an airport, fly, check into a hotel, and figure out my meals all on my own. My mentor and I still keep in touch with each other and she is someone I can always turn to for professional advice. Your relationship with your mentor does not have to end when your job shadowing experience does. I only hope someday I can be in a position to do the same for a young, promising Simmons student as well."

Who can I contact with additional questions?[top]

Liz Lawton at elizabeth.lawton@simmons.edu or 617-521-2334

(After November 9, 2009) - Sarah Zengo at sarah.zengo@simmons.edu or 617-521-2112