Bay Path University's Project Grow Kicks Off Second Year

“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” —Oprah Winfrey

The American Women’s College (TAWC) at Bay Path University hosted a reception for participants in its Project Grow mentorship program last week, celebrating the start of the program’s second year. The reception honored the 49 participating students — more than double last year’s participating cohort — as well as the many Bay Path mentors who volunteer to work with them. During the event, Mary Bushnell, a member of the University's Board of Trustees, was recognized for generously funding the program. Students were also able to have professional headshots taken at the reception.

In her opening remarks to students, Bay Path University President Carol A. Leary said:

“There are three Ps that I want our students to remember. Each of you has incredible potential, more than you even realize. You have perseverance. Your perseverance is going to be why you are successful. You, as a woman, are powerful, and don’t ever let anybody take that power away from you.”

Project Grow is an initiative of the Pass the Torch for Women Foundation. The program is designed to help participants create mentoring plans and build leadership skills, and provides access to highly qualified mentors throughout the nation. In addition to providing 1:1 mentoring with business professionals, program participants have the opportunity to complete workshops for personal and professional development, along with opportunities to propel their career post-graduation.

Through TAWC’s partnership with Pass the Torch for the Project Grow initiative, students are paired with a mentor in the fall semester, and a second mentor is assigned to them in the spring. These students receive training on how to be a good mentee, as well as other career development skills (networking, resume development, salary negotiation, etc). The organization trains the students and mentors, and creates the mentor-mentee matches.

"The American Women’s College at Bay Path University is so excited to partner for a second year with the Pass the Torch for Women Foundation,” said Gretchen Heaton, M.A., GCDF, Director of Career Development and Prior Learning Assessment for The American Women's College at Bay Path University. “Access to skilled mentors is critical for our students' professional development, especially since many of them hope to make a career transition after they receive their degree. Project Grow is one of the many exciting career development programs that we offer for students, that are carefully curated to meet the needs of adult returning students in a virtual environment."

Beginning this year, students are also eligible to receive a free professional outfit through a new partnership between Dress for Success and Pass the Torch.