Mentorship Lab at Roger Williams University Connects Business Students with Industry Leaders

April 13, 2026By Kelly Brinza

Launched in Fall 2025, the Mentorship Lab at Roger Williams University's Mario J. Gabelli School of Business provides students with an experiential learning program that fosters direct relationships with industry leaders.

BRISTOL, R.I. - At Roger Williams University, students in the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business(GSB) are gaining more than classroom knowledge - they are building direct relationships with industry leaders through the Mentorship Lab, an experiential learning program designed to accelerate career readiness.

Launched in Fall 2025, the Mentorship Lab pairs undergraduate business students with accomplished professionals for one-on-one mentorship, offering a high-impact approach to professional development. With about 20 students in its inaugural cohort, each participant met regularly with a business leader mentor, creating meaningful connections that extend beyond the classroom.

"The Mentorship Lab is where classroom theory transforms into professional mastery," explained Diya Das, Dean of the Gabelli School of Business. "Mentorship accelerates careers in ways that coursework alone simply cannot - it gives students access to hard-won wisdom, real-world perspective, and the kind of candid guidance that only comes from someone who has already walked the path."

The Mentorship Lab pairs undergraduate business students with accomplished professionals for one-on-one mentorship. Participants meet regularly with mentors, creating connections that extend beyond the classroom.

Building a High-Impact Mentorship Model

The program was developed through a collaboration between the Gabelli School of Business Advisory Counciland university leadership. Advisory Council Chair Brian MacLean first envisioned a structured mentorship experience that would connect students with senior business professionals. Working alongside Das, the concept evolved into a program centered on individualized engagement and career-focused learning.

Kate Hall, Lecturer of Managementand Director of Assurance of Learning, led the development of the Mentorship Lab's curriculum, recruitment strategy, and pairing process. After months of preparation, the program officially launched with a carefully selected group of students and mentors.

"Our mentors are a distinguished group primarily of GSB alumni, many of whom serve on our boards," said Hall. "However, the program also benefits from the expertise of dedicated 'friends of the university'. This blend of perspectives provides our students with an incredibly rich professional network."

The Mentorship Lab uses a highly tailored matching process that considers academic and professional interests, functional expertise, and shared experiences to build trust and long-term professional alignment.

A Personalized Approach to Career Development

A defining feature of the Mentorship Lab is its highly tailored matching process. Rather than relying solely on academic interests, program leaders take a holistic approach to pairing students and mentors.

"This is one of the most rewarding aspects of the program," said Hall. "We treat matching as a high-touch, boutique process. While we begin by looking at professional interests and functional expertise, we go much deeper."

The result is mentorship relationships built on trust, shared experiences, and long-term professional alignment.

For Rachel Irza '27, a Financeand Economicsdouble major with a minor in Management from Andover, Mass., the experience provided clarity about her future.

"My academic advisor initially introduced me to the program," said Irza. "After speaking with Professor Hall, I realized it would be a unique opportunity to gain insight into a field I'm interested in before fully committing to it after graduation."

Paired with Yvonne Morales-Farrell, a recent retiree from finance and accounting, Irza explored career paths in finance and discovered a new direction.

"Prior to the program, I didn't have a clear idea of what I wanted to pursue after graduation," she said. "Through my mentorship experience, I discovered that I'm interested in a career that combines analytical thinking with relationship-building."

Her mentor also connected her with professionals in wealth management - an experience that expanded her network and sharpened her career goals.

"I've become much more confident in networking, especially when connecting with industry professionals," Irza said. "Now I realize that many professionals genuinely enjoy helping students and sharing their experiences."

The Mentorship Lab is where classroom theory comes to life as professional mastery. The program pairings are designed to accelerate careers in ways that coursework alone cannot.

Bridging Classroom Learning and Professional Experience

For Finance major Johnny Giertl '28, the Mentorship Lab offered a direct pathway into the financial services industry.

"I first got involved with the mentorship lab by applying in the spring of 2025, when I received an invite to apply to the program," said the Glen Cove, N.Y. native. "I realized I had a very valuable opportunity to connect with industry professionals and gain insights that are often only found through real-world experience."

Giertl was paired with David Nastro, an investment banker at Morgan Stanley, in a match he says was tailored to his career goals.

"My overall experience with the Mentorship Lab had been nothing short of amazing," he said. "Having the ability to have a one-on-one mentor was, and still is, one of my most valuable resources."

Through experiences like visiting the Morgan Stanley office in New York City and receiving guidance on networking and interviews, Giertl gained practical skills that extend far beyond traditional coursework.

"My biggest takeaway from my mentor was that you reap what you sow," he said. "No matter your circumstances, hard-work, persistence, and determination all come out on top when it matters."

Mentorship Lab students leave the program with strengthened self-awareness, refined career goals, and a professional network that supports long-term success.

Preparing Students for a Changing Business Landscape

As industries evolve rapidly, the Mentorship Lab equips students with the adaptability and confidence needed to succeed. Mentors provide insight into emerging trends, from technological advancements to the complexities of professional networking.

"In an era defined by rapid change, from the rise of AI to the increasing complexity of professional networking, a trusted mentor doesn't just offer advice; they help students make sense of uncertainty and move through it with clarity and purpose," said Das.

Students leave the program with strengthened self-awareness, refined career goals, and a professional network that supports long-term success.

"The benefits run deep," she added. "Students develop the self-awareness to reflect meaningfully on their own growth, the confidence to own their professional identity, and the strategic thinking to make smarter decisions at every stage of their career."

Beyond individual student success, the Mentorship Lab strengthens connections between Roger Williams University and the broader business community.

Expanding Opportunities for Students and Mentors

The Mentorship Lab is open to undergraduate business students through a competitive application and interview process designed to identify candidates ready for professional engagement.

"The ideal candidate is someone prepared to work independently and professionally with a high-level business person and who is eager to maximize a semester of intensive learning," said Hall.

At the same time, the program continues to expand its network of mentors.

"We are always looking for dedicated professionals to join our community," Hall noted. "Typically, we look for more senior executives who have been in the industry for about 10 years or more and have had the experience of navigating their own careers and now have the time to devote to a student in a meaningful way."

Alumni and industry leaders play an active role in shaping the next generation of professionals through this program, while students gain access to mentorship that enhances their academic experience.

A Lasting Impact on the RWU Community

Beyond individual student success, the Mentorship Lab strengthens connections between Roger Williams University and the broader business community. Alumni and industry leaders play an active role in shaping the next generation of professionals, while students gain access to mentorship that enhances their academic experience.

"For GSB, this program is an investment that pays dividends across the entire community," said Das. "It deepens our bond with alumni and business leaders in our community … and ensures that every graduate steps into the workforce with a level of sophistication that reflects the very best of what this school stands for."

For students like Irza and Giertl, the impact is already clear - greater confidence, clearer career direction, and a strong foundation for future success.