YEREVAN, Armenia — On October 27, the American University of Armenia’s (AUA) Office of Alumni Relations launched the fifth and largest batch of the AUA Student-Alumni Mentorship Program for the 2025-26 academic year. Following a detailed matching process, 86 alumni and students were selected to join one of the most highly sought after programs offered by the Office of Alumni Relations. This year, a significant number of University alumni residing in Armenia and abroad expressed enthusiasm to mentor the next generation of AUA students, who, in turn, were eager to gain valuable guidance from those who have walked the same path.
The kick-off event of the Program is one of the highlights of the process, as the alumni and student pairs are revealed and attendees are given the opportunity to meet other participants. AUA’s Faculty Center was filled with enthusiastic participants, who joined both in person and online and were thrilled to celebrate the launch of the Program and meet their match.
Associate Director of Alumni Relations Margarit Hovhannisyan welcomed the attendees by highlighting the growing interest in the Program and sharing the new, exciting additions it will feature this year. She emphasized the importance of community building and experience sharing through the Mentorship Program, wishing the mentors and mentees a successful experience.
The attendees also had the opportunity to hear from a mentor, Tatevik Azizyan (MPSIA ’13), and mentee, Tigran Manukyan (BAB ’27), from the previous batch of the Program, both of whom shared valuable advice and insights. Tatevik, who will continue to mentor a student in the current batch, identified a few helpful tips for the mentors to build an effective relationship with their mentees and highlighted the significance of mentorship in today’s world. Tigran, meanwhile, shared the transformational experience he underwent with his mentor last year, expressed his appreciation, and wished everyone a similarly productive mentorship ahead.
The match reveal began with the online participants, who were pleased to greet their mentees virtually and make introductions. During the second phase of the match reveals, the mentees whose mentors were physically present engaged in a unique question game in order to find their matches. After a while, the whole room buzzed with introductory conversations. The mentors and mentees were pleasantly surprised to meet such suitable matches and excited to begin their journey together.
The evening concluded with further networking and participants sharing their first impressions regarding their matches. The Program promises to forge long lasting professional connections between yet another batch of students and alumni.
Launched in September 2021, the AUA Student-Alumni Mentorship Program brings together accomplished alumni and current students for meaningful, one-on-one mentorship experiences. Through the Program, students gain insights into life after graduation, as alumni share tips on navigating career paths, potential challenges, and promising opportunities. 185 alumni and students have already taken part in four successful batches, many forming lasting connections that have evolved into lifelong friendships.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
