In October, a kick-off event was held for University of Toledo student-athletes to meet with mentors and participate in leadership activities to develop relationships for life after graduation through the Rockets Ascend Pathways Program.
The mission of the Rockets Ascend Pathways Program is to connect student-athletes with key leaders and executives in the Toledo community and to foster connections that will promote leadership development and prepare them for “life after sport.”
“The Rockets Ascend Pathways Program will be an important way for us to support our student-athletes as their pursue their career goals now and once their playing days are over,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair. “I’ve said time and time again that the Northwest Ohio community is our unique competitive advantage. Toledo has a tremendous resource of leaders, innovators and executives. Connecting those key individuals with our student-athletes is a perfect example of the power of what makes Toledo such an incredible place to live, work and play. We are grateful for their support and #TeamToledo spirit.”
“I am excited to finally see the program come to life,” said Director of Student-Athlete Development Traci Snyder. “It has been a work in progress for the better part of the last year, and I’m really looking forward to the meaningful relationships our student-athletes will have the opportunity to build with all of the accomplished leaders from Toledo. Having everyone in a room together to connect and learn from each other is something you don’t see all the time. I am grateful to the mentors that agreed to be a part of this inaugural program, taking time out of their busy lives and schedules to share advice and experience with our student-athletes. We are thrilled to be able to provide another key program that will continue to add immense value to our student-athlete experience.”
The program will pair Rocket student-athletes with an industry professional who best aligns with their major, career goals, job interests and objectives. The commitment will be throughout the academic year. Both mentors and mentees will participate in programming offered through the Toledo Athletic Department, as well as opportunities offered by the mentor through job shadowing, networking and other personal growth events.
Mentors will also have opportunities to connect with their student-athlete on a routine basis at Athletic Department events such as professional development workshops and panel presentations, Rockets Rise: Networking & NIL Night and The Rocket Awards.
Dr. Clint Longenecker, a former Rocket football player from 1973-76 and a Distinguished University Professor of Leadership Emeritus, was instrumental in developing the program.
“Our University has a long tradition of successfully mentoring our student-athletes and I am a product of that mentoring tradition,” Longenecker said. “The Rockets Ascend Pathways Program is the next iteration of this life-changing practice and its impact will be generational. One of our competitive advantages as an athletic department is that we can help foster exceptional student-athlete connections with exceptional leaders in virtually every discipline. It is a win-win for both the student-athletes and our community leaders.”
Anyone interested in participating in the program may contact Traci Snyder at 419-530-3647 or by email at traci.korte@utoledo.edu.
