The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business’ Sophomore Mentoring program (SMP) helps second-year students prepare to transition to upper-level coursework and business internship possibilities. Overseen by Haslam’s Office of Access and Community Connections, the program connects participants with mentors from local businesses. This year, mentors volunteered from 21st Mortgage, Axle Logistics, Pilot Company and PYA.
Establishing Professional Connections
For the last five years, Haslam’s SMP has paired participants with guides to help second-year students maintain their academic performance, establish academic objectives, benefit from professional development activities and take advantage of professional networking opportunities. In the 2024-25 academic year, the students participated in workshops focused on intentional goal setting, the evolving role of AI in the workplace, social selling and effective communication. Veronica Chudoba, a rising junior in accounting, called the monthly sessions informative and beneficial — but what she found most meaningful was collaborating directly with a mentor.
“The SMP was unlike anything I have ever experienced,” Chudoba reflects. “It’s not every day that you get paired with someone in the actual workforce, so I’m thankful I was selected to be a part of this program. Reaching out to my mentor whenever I needed, with any questions, was amazing. I made a valuable lifelong connection. I would recommend this experience to every student.”
Developing Community Ties
21st Mortgage strives to build meaningful connections with students in its community, and Kristi Nguyen, senior recruiting and training coordinator with the company, says it has been rewarding to work with the OACC through the SMP.
“Serving as a mentor was incredible,” Nguyen says. “I was paired with one of the most driven and engaged students I’ve ever met, who is consistently eager to grow and build their professional network. I also had the chance to meet many more inspiring students who are already taking proactive steps toward their futures. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support them and share my experiences with the next generation of leaders at UT.”
Helping Students Transition to Upper-Level Challenges
The mentoring program is designed to provide a framework through which the participants successfully complete the academic year, experience positive personal, academic and professional growth and develop the beginnings of a professional network. Pamela Sanchez, OACC’s coordinator of retention and education and creator of the SMP, called it a pleasure to get know the latest cohort of students and watch them enthusiastically benefit from the program goals.
“The Sophomore Mentoring Program allows students to find direction and feel truly supported as they navigate one of the most critical years of their academic journeys,” she says. “Sophomore year is a pivotal time — students are no longer new to college life, yet they face the challenge of navigating growth, networking and self-discovery without the abundance of structured support and programming typically offered to first-year students. We are proud of how the 2024-25 participants responded to challenges and progressed through their second year!”
Main photo
Left side: Front row (left): Chelsea Brosius (mentor), Kalli Cothron
Back row (left): Jaydon Kelley, Owen Seibert, KaLeighn Oakley (mentor), Jenna Lawson (mentor)
Right side: Front row (right): Kristi Nguyen (mentor), Mytram Nguyen
Back row (right): Colton Vaughan, Karlie Custer, Madalin Blake (mentor), Kevin Qian
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CONTACT: Scott McNutt, senior business writer/publicist, rmcnutt4@utk.edu
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