Pesce Family Mentoring Institute Celebrates 10 Years of Mentor/Mentee Connections

William Paterson University’s Pesce Family Mentoring Institute, which connects individual WP students with professional mentors who provide career advice and guidance, marked its tenth anniversary on October 29 with a special celebration on campus that drew more than 100 attendees for an evening that included networking, dinner, a mentor panel, and various awards and recognition. The Institute was founded thanks to the generosity of alumnus and long-time Board of Trustees member William J. Pesce ’73, his wife, Henrietta M. Pesce ’72, MA ‘75, and family.

“Our shared inspiration has always been and always will be to make a difference in the lives of our students—the next generation of leaders,” said Pesce, the former president and CEO of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., in his remarks to attendees who included President Richard J. Helldobler, President Emerita Kathleen Waldron, as well as University administrators and staff, special guests, and numerous mentors and mentees.

“When a program is successful, the natural instincts are to grow it, to benefit more students,” Pesce said, telling the students in attendance, “You are the next generation of leaders—beacons of hope for the future. I’m counting on each and every one of you to be exceptional ambassadors for our mentoring institute, for William Paterson, for your community, for your family.”

Since its inception 10 years ago, the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute has grown from serving 72 students in its first year to 302 in the 2023-24 academic year.

“The Pesce Family Mentoring Institute and the people who make it happen are truly making William Paterson a ‘Powerhouse of Progress.’ In an increasingly competitive world, mentorship provides a key boost to our students,” said President Helldobler. “None of this would be possible without the professionals from virtually every field who are helping to empower the next generation, providing access to networks of people and associations, as well as leads on essential internships and, of course, jobs.” 

For the class of 2023, the six-month out job placement rate for WP students who participated in the Institute was 98 percent, far outpacing the national average for both public and private institutions. Mentees from the program have gone on to excel in industries ranging from business, healthcare, government, and non-profits to attending graduate school.

“Our success in graduating students and launching them into good careers springs from our success in removing obstacles that, for too long, have blocked the path to success for students from underrepresented populations. We are changing that by changing systems, and I am proud to say that the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute is playing a big part,” said President Helldobler, noting that most Institute mentees are from diverse populations and nearly 50 percent are the first in their families to attend college.

During the evening, Pesce reflected on his own transformative experience at William Paterson from years ago and his aspirations for the Institute. “During the launch ceremony, 10 years ago, I shared these thoughts…My dream is we will build a community of caring people who remain connected beyond their initial mentoring experience, enabling a lifetime of opportunities and creating enduring memories. And many of our students will return as mentors, inspired to share their wisdom and advice, as mentors did with them.”

Today, 59 percent of the Institute’s mentors are University alumni, including 13 who started out as student mentees and now serve as mentors, beginning to create the full circle of giving back that Pesce envisioned years ago.

For more information on the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute and to learn about becoming a mentor or mentee, visit wpunj.edu/wpmentoring. Please contact Deborah Feingold, Assistant Director, Pesce Family Mentoring Institute, at feingoldd@wpunj.edu with any questions.

11/08/24