The mentorship story of Nune Harutyunyan (BAEC ’18) and Gohar Geghamyan (BAPG ’25) began last year in AUA’s Faculty Center. Gohar was sitting in the front row, filled with excitement and anticipation, waiting to hear the name of her mentor at the kick-off event of the AUA Student-Alumni Mentorship Program. Meanwhile, Nune was waiting patiently in Amsterdam to meet her mentee over Zoom.
As Gohar looked at the faces on the large screen in front of the audience, she found herself guessing who her mentor might be and Nune quickly became her favorite. “To be honest, I was hoping she would be my mentor,” Gohar recalled. “I immediately connected with her energy, and yes, Zoom was not a barrier for that.”
Every year, the AUA Student-Alumni Mentorship Program builds a bridge between alumni and students across generations, industries, and time zones. In nearly all cases, mentors and mentees succeed in developing effective cooperation and helping each other discover a new version of themselves. In some instances, these relationships become transformational for mentees, extending beyond the Program and growing into lifelong friendships. Nune and Gohar were so highly motivated to be part of this Program that they managed to build such a bond across borders.
A Mentor Driven by Purpose
For Nune, joining the Mentorship Program was a natural extension of her gratitude toward AUA. “Studying at AUA opened so many doors for me, and it felt like my turn to contribute,” she shared.
Nune had previously returned to campus to give a talk about her master’s research at the London School of Economics, an experience that made her realize how fulfilling giving back could be. But she wanted something deeper: a connection she could follow and support over time. When she learned about the Mentorship Program, she knew it was the right opportunity. She was also encouraged by the flexibility. “As a full-time working professional, it mattered that the meeting schedule and format were up to me and my mentee. I had an excellent experience in this Program.”
Currently, Nune works in Amsterdam in corporate sustainability at B Lab Europe, supporting the certification process of over 2,000 B Corps across Europe. She manages operations and facilitates certification services across the European network, acting as a bridge between the European Country Partner Network and B Lab Global.
A Mentee Searching for Direction
When Gohar heard about the Mentorship Program from her peers, she saw it as an opportunity to understand life beyond AUA directly from professionals. With interests spanning multiple fields, she hoped for a mentor with a diverse background and an open mindset. “I can confidently say that my expectations were exceeded, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be Nune’s mentee,” she remarked.
Their conversations quickly became a space where Gohar felt supported, encouraged, and understood. “I enjoyed our interactions from the very first day, with each conversation feeling like a therapeutic session that motivated me to recognize my weaknesses, strengths, and uniqueness, embrace them, and work toward building my career,” shared Gohar.
An Online Mentorship That Worked Seamlessly
Distance was not an issue for this pair. After years of evolving remote collaboration, Nune felt confident that online mentorship could be just as effective. And it was. They even met in person when Nune visited Armenia, a moment that made their connection even stronger, but the consistency and openness of their online meetings carried the relationship.
Growth on Both Sides
For Nune, supporting her mentee’s development was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. “It gave me a great sense of accomplishment to be able to share my career path with Gohar and explore paths to success aligned with her interests and aspirations. Seeing her grow more confident and ready for the future brought me so much joy,” Nune shared. She appreciated Gohar’s optimism, curiosity, and positive energy — qualities that inspired her as well. It makes her proud to see that Gohar’s post-AUA career and study vision has become much clearer, and she hopes that their conversations helped motivate her and provided a stronger sense of direction.
“Nune helped me understand that having many interests is not a weakness,” Gohar said. Instead, it became something she learned to embrace and use to guide her career planning. For Gohar, the mentorship shaped both her confidence and her sense of direction. She learned how to confidently present her work experience and achievements She also learned to be gentler with herself when facing failures or mistakes and less critical of herself during setbacks. “I truly love the version of myself that I became during and after my meetings with Nune.”
Messages for Future Mentors and Mentees
Nune encourages alumni, including those abroad, to consider joining the Program. “Regardless of your path or seniority, your experience can be valuable for someone stepping into the shoes you were once in,” she remarked. She is thankful for an opportunity that goes beyond physical borders.
Gohar’s message to future mentees is heartfelt: “If you feel lost, this Program will help you understand your fears, recognize your strengths, and discover the direction you truly want to take.”
A Connection That Continues Beyond the Program
Looking ahead, Gohar hopes to one day give back to AUA just as her mentor did. Both mentor and mentee agree that their connection is one they will continue to carry forward.
“Nune was more than just a mentor to me,” said Gohar, “She was like a career and life coach, helping me to look at myself from a new perspective and guiding me on how to showcase my uniqueness effectively.”
Gohar admires Nune’s ability to guide, provide constructive feedback, and support personal growth. “She is truly one of the greatest people I have had the chance to meet in 2024, and I look forward to carrying this connection into 2025 and beyond.”
As one of the many ways alumni give back to their alma mater, this mentorship reflects the strength of the AUA alumni community. It demonstrates how powerful the impact of alumni support can be for AUA students following in their footsteps.
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.