About

Alumni Get Involved BethelBiz

The BethelBiz mentorship program runs for the academic calendar year, kicking off the last week of September and concluding the first week of May. The mentorship program requires a full academic year commitment (we do not accept applications for one semester). Mentors and mentees meet individually once a month. We also expect mentors and mentees to attend our three main events each year: a kickoff event in late September, a mid-year event focused on giving students opportunities for career exploration, and a year-end celebration. BethelBiz is designed to be student-driven, with students responsible for scheduling monthly meetings and bringing topics to discuss. The program is designed for sophomore, junior, and senior undergrad business and communication students at Bethel. In addition, we have many students studying political science, computer science, psychology, and pursuing careers in the healthcare sector.

Our Vision

We connect students with alumni and business professionals to pursue faith as a community and to follow our callings together. Our mentors serve as guides, friends, and resources who help pave the way for students to succeed at Bethel and, ultimately, in the business world. Then we strive to embody our faith in the workplace and pursue Christ in every facet of our lives.

Our Mission

BethelBiz pairs students with a mentor to promote excellence in the business community, the classroom, and the church. By investing in the life of a mentee, our mentors help prepare them to lead and serve with excellence in every aspect of life.

Our Values

Throughout the mentoring process, BethelBiz promotes the values of intentionality, transparency, accountability, and connection: 

  • Intentionality: An attitude of purposefulness with a commitment to deliberate action.
  • Transparency: An open and vulnerable sharing of experiences, successes, struggles, challenges, and failures. Inviting trust by revealing you have nothing to hide.
  • Accountability: A willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions. 
  • Connection: A deep bond that is formed between people when they feel seen and valued.
This program has set me up with real knowledge about the business world. Meaningful conversations happen every time I meet with my mentor. This program is a no-brainer, and I wish I could have signed up sooner.

This program has set me up with real knowledge about the business world. Meaningful conversations happen every time I meet with my mentor. This program is a no-brainer, and I wish I could have signed up sooner.

Alex Vollmer ’22
It has been a tremendous joy to serve as a mentor to Bethel students over the years! I continue to be impressed by the thoughtful approach each student has toward their personal and professional development. Their pursuit of growth, passion for learning, and desire to integrate their faith into all aspects of life is inspiring. It’s an honor to join each student as they step into their own unique leadership style at Bethel and beyond.

It has been a tremendous joy to serve as a mentor to Bethel students over the years! I continue to be impressed by the thoughtful approach each student has toward their personal and professional development. Their pursuit of growth, passion for learning, and desire to integrate their faith into all aspects of life is inspiring. It’s an honor to join each student as they step into their own unique leadership style at Bethel and beyond.

Christy Coulter '08
Founder/CEO, Apex Legacy Consultants
Mentoring BethelBiz students has been a great joy for me! I continue to be impressed with the caliber of leaders I am paired with. I am rarely trying to motivate BethelBiz students; they consistently show up excited to learn and grow. Being a mentor has not only been personally fulfilling, it has also helped me develop mentoring skills that I can apply to relationships in my own business.

Mentoring BethelBiz students has been a great joy for me! I continue to be impressed with the caliber of leaders I am paired with. I am rarely trying to motivate BethelBiz students; they consistently show up excited to learn and grow. Being a mentor has not only been personally fulfilling, it has also helped me develop mentoring skills that I can apply to relationships in my own business.

Andrew Johnson
Franchise Owner, Chick-Fil-A
The BethelBiz mentorship program was by far one of the most impactful aspects of my college education. The knowledge, connections, and relationships I gained through BethelBiz were incomparable to anything I learned in a classroom. I am grateful to have been part of this program and I look forward to continuing my relationship with my mentor outside of Bethel.

The BethelBiz mentorship program was by far one of the most impactful aspects of my college education. The knowledge, connections, and relationships I gained through BethelBiz were incomparable to anything I learned in a classroom. I am grateful to have been part of this program and I look forward to continuing my relationship with my mentor outside of Bethel.

Michael Piehler '22
I have been with the BethelBiz mentor program for a long time, and I look forward to continuing long into the future. My primary reason for continuing with the program is simple: corporate America needs more Bethel students! The talent, drive, passion and faith Bethel students bring to the work environment is second to none, and as alumni, we need to continue to help build a strong alumni network long into the future. The program is so incredibly powerful in linking passionate Bethel alums with future business leaders from the broad base of talent at Bethel University.

I have been with the BethelBiz mentor program for a long time, and I look forward to continuing long into the future. My primary reason for continuing with the program is simple: corporate America needs more Bethel students! The talent, drive, passion and faith Bethel students bring to the work environment is second to none, and as alumni, we need to continue to help build a strong alumni network long into the future. The program is so incredibly powerful in linking passionate Bethel alums with future business leaders from the broad base of talent at Bethel University.

Peter Kenow '05
My mentor has had, without question, the greatest and most positive impact on me during my time as a Bethel student. He has continually been present in my life, willing to discuss anything that I am wondering about and offer examples from his own life of the things he has gone through. I truly think that I would be a different person graduating from Bethel if it were not for my mentor’s care and intentionality in mentoring me. It has been especially impactful to have someone who I know is always cheering for me, yet is also there to offer constructive criticism and guidance.

My mentor has had, without question, the greatest and most positive impact on me during my time as a Bethel student. He has continually been present in my life, willing to discuss anything that I am wondering about and offer examples from his own life of the things he has gone through. I truly think that I would be a different person graduating from Bethel if it were not for my mentor’s care and intentionality in mentoring me. It has been especially impactful to have someone who I know is always cheering for me, yet is also there to offer constructive criticism and guidance.

AnnaGrace Ziebarth '22
Investing in the next generation of leaders continues to be a joyful and energizing experience. These students are digging deep to grow in new and different ways each year, and I love being a part of their journey. Without BethelBiz, I would be out of touch with what college students are experiencing in today’s world.

Investing in the next generation of leaders continues to be a joyful and energizing experience. These students are digging deep to grow in new and different ways each year, and I love being a part of their journey. Without BethelBiz, I would be out of touch with what college students are experiencing in today’s world.

Lana Nelson '09
VP, Operations and Client Experience, Ellingson & Ellingson
Mentoring has provided encouragement, that our future leaders desire Kingdom values to be present in their careers, community, and daily walk. Each session provides an open dialogue to share unique experiences that have shaped us and given direction. In addition, the ability to promote networking opportunities with colleagues and Bethel alums is exhilarating! Incredible opportunity!

Mentoring has provided encouragement, that our future leaders desire Kingdom values to be present in their careers, community, and daily walk. Each session provides an open dialogue to share unique experiences that have shaped us and given direction. In addition, the ability to promote networking opportunities with colleagues and Bethel alums is exhilarating! Incredible opportunity!

Scott Wold
Senior Manager at Ecolab's Controller's Group
BethelBiz was one of my greatest blessings during my time at Bethel. It gave me the opportunity to build both a professional and personal relationship with someone who has been in the same shoes as me before. God has a mission for each of us, and my mentor was able to meet me where I was at while helping me become the person He has called me to be!

BethelBiz was one of my greatest blessings during my time at Bethel. It gave me the opportunity to build both a professional and personal relationship with someone who has been in the same shoes as me before. God has a mission for each of us, and my mentor was able to meet me where I was at while helping me become the person He has called me to be!

Anna-Marie Manning ’20
Mentoring Bethel Royals for workplace realities honors His word and is indeed a privilege to serve. I’ve consistently found Bethel mentees to be among the brightest, most curious, coachable, reflective, critical thinking next generation of servant leaders I’ve met. Because my team has hired many Royals, I’ve again had the privilege of watching their IQ and EQ enable them to rise above their peers. The gifts mentee and mentors share through time together—and beyond—are rich and plentiful.

Mentoring Bethel Royals for workplace realities honors His word and is indeed a privilege to serve. I’ve consistently found Bethel mentees to be among the brightest, most curious, coachable, reflective, critical thinking next generation of servant leaders I’ve met. Because my team has hired many Royals, I’ve again had the privilege of watching their IQ and EQ enable them to rise above their peers. The gifts mentee and mentors share through time together—and beyond—are rich and plentiful.

John Beacham
Chief Information Officer
BethelBiz connects talented, accomplished and excited-to-give-back alumni with Bethel students and facilitates a rich mentorship between the two. My two mentor placements have been excellent, helping me grow not just in my business network and exposure, but also personally and spiritually.

BethelBiz connects talented, accomplished and excited-to-give-back alumni with Bethel students and facilitates a rich mentorship between the two. My two mentor placements have been excellent, helping me grow not just in my business network and exposure, but also personally and spiritually.

Ben Hernes ’21