Over the years, I have had fantastic opportunities to serve as a mentor to students in the Glenn College Mentorship Program, which links students with experienced public servants to foster growth, insight and connection. These relationships have been deeply rewarding. Talking with students reminds me about the energy and optimism we all bring to public service and about the responsibility we each have to nurture potential. As the Glenn College Mentee Guide puts it, “The ideal mentoring relationship is one that exceeds fact-finding and delves into personal knowledge and experience.”
Mentorship is a two-way street. Students gain perspective and guidance, and mentors gain renewed purpose and insight. Volunteering as a mentor helps me reflect on my own journey, from growing up in Appalachian Ohio to serving as the state’s chief financial officer. It reminds me of the people who helped me along the way: a high school English teacher who taught me the power of clear communication, a graduate school professor who took a chance on a cold call from an undergrad student, and colleagues who opened doors, made personal and professional connections for me, and offered encouragement and insight along the way.
These experiences shaped my leadership philosophy, which I often summarize in five lessons:
- Raise your hand. Step forward, even when you are unsure. Growth happens outside your comfort zone.
- Know your strengths. Understand what you do best, and lean in to your personal and unique gifts to help you understand how to lead authentically and effectively.
- Cultivate your network. Relationships are the foundation of opportunity. Stay connected, be intentional and give back.
- Build strong communication skills. Whether you are drafting a policy memo or engaging in conversation with a colleague about the latest Buckeye win, clarity and understanding matter. Discussions between mentors and mentees are great opportunities to strengthen professional communication skills.
- Do good. As my favorite mentor, Gov. Mike DeWine once said, “I have an objective. I’m going to get as much good done as I can.” That is a guiding principle worth living by. It is the best advice that each of us can take to heart as public servants.
Mentorship brings these lessons to life. Mentors can help ambition meet experience. And mentoring relationships can provide significant opportunities for public servants to make lasting impacts beyond the policies we shape to the people that we support.
The Glenn College Mentorship Program is designed with this in mind. It encourages mentors and mentees to meet regularly, share openly and build relationships that extend beyond the classroom. As outlined in the program’s agreement between the mentors and the students, “We are voluntarily entering into a mentoring relationship from which we both expect to benefit. We want this to be a rich, rewarding experience with most of our time together spent in professional development activities.”
That mutual benefit is key. Mentors gain fresh perspectives, sharpen their coaching skills and stay connected to the next generation of leaders. Mentees gain confidence, clarity and a sense of belonging in a field that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
To those considering becoming a mentor: Take the leap! You do not need to have all the answers. You only need to be willing to share your story, listen with intention and invest in someone else’s growth. And to students: Seek out mentors as part of formal programs and in your everyday life. Ask questions. Be open to feedback. Remember that your development is your responsibility, but you have an entire team cheering you on.
In public service, we often talk about legacy. Mentorship is one of the most meaningful legacies we can leave. It’s how we pass on wisdom, values and hope. It is not about perfection or accolades. It’s doing good to ensure that the work we do today continues to make a difference tomorrow through the people we grow.
So let’s keep mentoring. Let’s keep learning. And let’s keep doing good together!
