Kansas State University

College of Business Executive Mentor Program announces awards

Submitted by Brent Fritzemeier

The Kansas State University College of Business Administration recently celebrated its Executive Mentor Program by announcing its spring 2020 Executive Mentor and Executive Mentee of the Year Awards.

The Executive Mentor Program pairs undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Business Administration with professionals from a wide range of industries for mentoring purposes. Executive mentors provide one-on-one career advice, assist the student in soft skill development, and provide opportunities for networking with other professionals. 

The Executive Mentor of the Year award recognizes a mentor who demonstrates excellence in supporting and cultivating his or her student's professional goals and skills. This year's winner is Missy Kessler, senior vice president at Ranstad USA. Kessler is a mentor to Katie Stinson, senior in operations and supply chain management.

"She challenged me to go outside my comfort zone and helped my professional network soar," Stinson said. "I am so grateful to her and the executive mentor program for providing me with a relationship that will last way beyond my college years."

The Mentee of the Year award recognizes the student who models the expectations of the Executive Mentor Program — initiative, good communication and the drive to develop oneself professionally. This year's winner is Taylor Werner, senior in finance. She was nominated by her mentor Stephanie Siders, vice president at CC Capital Advisors.

"It has been so fun to follow Taylor's journey over the last year," Siders said, "I credit her for taking initiative at every step of the way to ask advice, evaluate opportunities and make informed decisions. Our formal mentor/mentee relationship may be ending soon, but I look forward to mentoring her throughout her career."