Completed Event: Volleyball at Old Dominion on November 7, 2025 , Win , 3, to, 0 , (25-15, 25-23, 25-23)
VB
Final
James Madison
3
at Old Dominion
(25-15, 25-23, 25-23)
0
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Dukes LEAD Summer 2022 Mentorship Program
9/21/2022 3:30:00 PM | Student-Athlete Development
Summer is the time for JMU student-athletes to get ahead in classes, work on a skill they've been trying to master athletically, and in fact find time to add to their professional development. Each summer, Dukes LEAD offers the opportunity for student-athletes to be paired with a former JMU student-athlete or alumni who is currently working in a career field that they are interested in.
During Summer 2022, Dukes LEAD was able to pair six current student-athletes with business professionals. These pairings were given six topics of conversations (one every two weeks) starting in June to help foster a professional relationship and learn in a mentor/mentee setting.
Jordan Pratt, a senior on the cheerleading team majoring in finance, signed up for her second year with the Dukes LEAD summer mentorship program in order to prepare herself for the "real world" upon graduation.
"My mentor this past summer was Will Gonzalez and he went above and beyond as my mentor in this program, " Pratt said. "While we met and talked about the planned topics, like the resume review, Will also talked me through many different career opportunities in the world of finance because I was overwhelmed with the many choices that laid ahead of me. He summarized different career paths, the steps I would need to take to get there, and how I could grow in the industry."
Shelby Staib, a senior track & field student-athlete majoring in finance with a CIS major was paired with former football player, Cameron Starke. They not only discussed strategy surrounding career, but even connected over the transition to life after sport.
"Cameron helped me navigate the tough decision of continuing to pursue a future in Javelin versus starting a new chapter entering the workforce," Staib said. "He taught me how to use the skills I have built through my athletic career and apply them to the corporate world. I am grateful for this opportunity through Dukes Lead as it has given me a new confidence for exploring life outside of sports."
Cameron Starke, a 2014 football graduate and AD Circle member, felt that he even benefited from the experience mentoring a student-athlete.
"While trying to provide realistic, valuable insight into life after athletics, it was rewarding watching Shelby start to navigate her own situation in order to develop a plan to start her professional career," Starke said. "It was also humbling for myself to revisit how far I have come since being in her situation and to continue using information we BOTH discovered in our conversation to continue to better myself as well!"
Dukes LEAD is grateful to all of the JMU alumni who stepped up to mentor current student-athletes and the student-athletes who were willing to step outside their comfort zone to make connections and take advantage of the resources available to them.
Summer Mentorship Topics of Discussion
June 27 – Get to know each other
July 11 – Resume Review
July 25 – Choosing a career path. Where do you start to get to your dream job?
August 8 – Mock interview with feedback
August 22 – Using you athletic career to differentiate yourself in interview and workforce
September 6 – Goal setting for the upcoming year
During Summer 2022, Dukes LEAD was able to pair six current student-athletes with business professionals. These pairings were given six topics of conversations (one every two weeks) starting in June to help foster a professional relationship and learn in a mentor/mentee setting.
Jordan Pratt, a senior on the cheerleading team majoring in finance, signed up for her second year with the Dukes LEAD summer mentorship program in order to prepare herself for the "real world" upon graduation.
"My mentor this past summer was Will Gonzalez and he went above and beyond as my mentor in this program, " Pratt said. "While we met and talked about the planned topics, like the resume review, Will also talked me through many different career opportunities in the world of finance because I was overwhelmed with the many choices that laid ahead of me. He summarized different career paths, the steps I would need to take to get there, and how I could grow in the industry."
Shelby Staib, a senior track & field student-athlete majoring in finance with a CIS major was paired with former football player, Cameron Starke. They not only discussed strategy surrounding career, but even connected over the transition to life after sport.
"Cameron helped me navigate the tough decision of continuing to pursue a future in Javelin versus starting a new chapter entering the workforce," Staib said. "He taught me how to use the skills I have built through my athletic career and apply them to the corporate world. I am grateful for this opportunity through Dukes Lead as it has given me a new confidence for exploring life outside of sports."
Cameron Starke, a 2014 football graduate and AD Circle member, felt that he even benefited from the experience mentoring a student-athlete.
"While trying to provide realistic, valuable insight into life after athletics, it was rewarding watching Shelby start to navigate her own situation in order to develop a plan to start her professional career," Starke said. "It was also humbling for myself to revisit how far I have come since being in her situation and to continue using information we BOTH discovered in our conversation to continue to better myself as well!"
Dukes LEAD is grateful to all of the JMU alumni who stepped up to mentor current student-athletes and the student-athletes who were willing to step outside their comfort zone to make connections and take advantage of the resources available to them.
Summer Mentorship Topics of Discussion
June 27 – Get to know each other
July 11 – Resume Review
July 25 – Choosing a career path. Where do you start to get to your dream job?
August 8 – Mock interview with feedback
August 22 – Using you athletic career to differentiate yourself in interview and workforce
September 6 – Goal setting for the upcoming year
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