M
ary Kate Hopf, a senior this Fall from Jasper, Indiana, was more excited than nervous when she met Gary Vance, ’77, at Ball State’s 2021 Alumni & Benefactors Recognition Dinner. Mr. Vance is a renowned planner, architect, and author, and Ms. Hopf is an aspiring architect. The Homecoming Steering Committee member took a chance. “Hellos” quickly turned into personal stories and professional goals. After 45 years in the business, Mr. Vance said he “knew Mary Kate was a good bet,” minutes into their conversation. “Send me your résumé by noon tomorrow,” he urged. She sent it by sunrise. Nine days later, Ms. Hopf had a summer internship at Gresham Smith in Nashville—her “top pick since freshman year.” “Meeting Gary was a surreal moment,” Ms. Hopf said. “In no time, he kickstarted my place in the architecture world. I am forever grateful to him, and it has inspired me to one day return the favor.” Mr. Vance smiled as Ms. Hopf, who is majoring in Architecture and Spanish, relayed her excitement and gratitude. The Indiana native built his career with the help of mentors, and he now feels called to connect, guide, and inspire. Beneficence is reward enough, Mr. Vance said, but he also points out that mentor-mentee relationships are not one sided. He has gained perspective and support from mentees; and he encourages other mentors to maximize their relationships. “Anyone who only sees mentorship as a one-way street is not considering the full possibilities,” said Mr. Vance, a 2010 R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning Distinguished Alumnus Award winner, who, in 2019, collaborated with his family to produce the Kid Architect book series. Ms. Hopf and other mentees have promoted the series on social media or read and reviewed drafts. Emily (McGowan) McGee, ’11, a medical planner and design professional for HOK in Washington, D.C., has several Kid Architect books at the office. Mr. Vance has nominated Ms. McGee for a number of awards, including the American Institute of Architects 2022 Associates Award. She wrote a blog about her path to architecture for the Kid Architect website. “Mentoring is indeed a two-way street,” said Ms. McGee, who has written reference letters for Mr. Vance and connected him to projects. “One of the benefits of being a mentee is to infuse fresh ideas, inspirations, and perspectives to the mentor.”
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Maximize Your Mentoring
A Ball State priority Ball State is invested in these transformative relationships. The University’s strategic plan, Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, states the goal that “every graduate has access to a coach or mentor.” In 2019, Ball State launched Cardinals Connect, an interactive platform that features events, job posts, and professional and personal development opportunities. Two years later, the Miller College of Business piloted the SOAR Program to imbed mentoring into a required course. Roughly 85 percent of SOAR mentors and mentees plan to stay connected after the semester. Nicole Yankauskas, ’11, is a SOAR mentor. The director of personal finance at Avalon Wealth Advisory in Indianapolis stresses the ease and accessibility of the program, which includes a guide of expectations and conversation starters. “I have loved getting to know my mentee as a person, a student, and an undeniable leader among her peers,” Ms. Yankauskas said. “Staying connected with the next generation of thought leaders helps open my eyes to new ideas, trends, desires, and habits that I apply to my own life and business or share with others who may benefit.”
Relationships between students and mentors provide benefits to both sides. By Kate H. Elliott
Evolving definitions of mentorship Dawn Araujo-Hawkins, ’10, attended classes across McKinley Avenue as a double major in Magazine Media and French. The Christian Century news editor urges a broad interpretation of “mentoring.” Although Ms. Araujo-Hawkins has not developed a lasting professional bond with any Ball State students, she has shared her career and advice with dozens of aspiring journalists, virtually from her home in Kansas City, Missouri. She has responded to students’ questions and connected them with colleagues. “Perhaps you don’t have the time for a longterm, formal mentoring relationship—but sharing your real-life experience and being open to questions is always helpful to someone,” she said. “I think this is even more critical for students from marginalized demographics who are often excluded from ‘good old boys’ networks, which generate a lot of insider professional advice and opportunities.” Mr. Vance couldn’t agree more. He encourages mentors and mentees to build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and in industries outside their own. “All of us should gather a mentoring team of personal and professional supporters,” he said. “Imagine how much richer our lives would be with an even broader network.”
Gary Vance, ’77, has discovered his mentorship efforts, including those with Mary Kate Hopf, provide him a professional benefit, too.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, ’13
Visit cardinalsconnect.com or contact the Ball State Alumni Association to learn more about connecting with Cardinals past and present.
WE FLY / Summer 2022
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