Alumni Mentors Creating Community
Madison (left) with peer mentor Zoe (right) at Ryman Arts’ student-led Sticker Market at Otis College of Art & Design
By Marilyn Nguyen (Ryman ‘11), Alumni Engagement Specialist
At Ryman Arts, our commitment to students doesn’t end at graduation, it continues to grow with them. One of the most impactful ways we continue to build community for our alumni and offer lasting support is through the Alumni College Mentor Program. This initiative is more than a resource. It’s a demonstration of how our alumni uplift one another and stay connected.
This past academic year, we were thrilled to match 20 alumni pairs across 16 colleges and universities nationwide, from University of California, Los Angeles to Parsons School of Design in New York, creating bridges of guidance, friendship, and support that extend far beyond our studio art program.
For many teens, college is a new world, full of opportunities and challenges. Our mentor program connects incoming college students with fellow alumni— peers who have walked similar paths, navigated the same anxieties, and emerged with wisdom and experience to share. The results are inspiring!
When Madison Rodas-Cabrera (Ryman ‘24) connected with her peer mentor Zoe Asis (Ryman ‘22) for the first time, they talked for over three hours! That initial conversation laid a foundation for Madison to start her freshman year at Otis College of Art and Design with confidence:
“The first meeting I had with my Ryman Arts mentor…Zoe and I discussed Otis College, jobs on campus, our high schools, and so much more. It helped me to prepare questions and what to expect [when starting] college…I enjoy how caring and helpful she is when it comes to certain aspects of managing workload and things around school.”
Madison (left) with peer mentor Zoe (right)
For many mentees, these connections provide comfort while also opening new perspectives. Lauren Cho (Ryman ‘22), a first-year student at Carnegie Mellon University, reflected on meeting peer mentor Ella Moon (Ryman ’21) on campus:
“When I arrived at my university, my mentor and I went out for brunch! It was so interesting to hear about her experience both academically and socially, and we had a lot of similarities but also new perspectives. She's very kind, thoughtful, and direct. I believe that it's such a great opportunity for me to connect with a senior upperclassman, because most of the students I meet on a regular basis are mainly freshmen and sophomores.”
More than just advice, our peer mentors offer a sense of belonging. Sonya Nalapraya (Ryman ‘20), a peer mentor to first-year student Genesis Quintana-Quintana (Ryman ‘24) at Cal State Fullerton, beautifully captured the essence of this connection:
Peer mentor Sonya (left) with mentee Genesis (right)
“Overall, I am insanely proud of Genesis and their accomplishments throughout this whole year. They are such a hard-working, kind, and thoughtful person! It was honestly difficult to schedule formal meetings because we talked so often day to day! …They’ve accomplished so much in their first year in college, and I feel so lucky that I was able to see them through it. Lastly, I'm very grateful Genesis and I were able to meet and become friends through this program!”
Sonya and Genesis with fellow members of The Pencil Mileage Club
Sonya also shared a milestone in Genesis's college journey:
“[When] Genesis showed interest in applying to be an officer for the [animation] club we are both a part of, The Pencil Mileage Club, I was super excited. I was very supportive of Genesis and gave them some small tips for applying... and they were elected! (YAY!) I'm so proud of them for taking the leap to put themselves out there and for all their hard work to commit to applying!”
Through the eyes of both mentors and mentees, we see how these relationships provide incoming college students with not only practical guidance but also a reassuring reminder: they’re not alone. They are part of a larger creative community ready to support them as they transition from high school into higher education.
These networks ripple outward, enriching our entire alumni community. They show that mentorship isn’t just about giving back. It’s about staying connected, learning from one another, and building a stronger Ryman Arts. As we look toward a new school year, we’re excited to welcome a new cohort of mentors and mentees for 2025-26!