The Power of Alumni as Mentors

Not so long ago, Leigh Kunkel ’09 walked the halls as and occupied the classrooms at Grinnell as an English major, unsure of exactly what to expect after graduation. “I always said that I didn't want to be a journalist, and I didn't want to write,” Kunkel says of her time as a student. “But those are the two things that I'm doing now.” 

Today, Kunkel is a freelance journalist based out of Chicago who has written for The New York Times, Oprah Magazine, and National Geographic among many other publications. She has also made a return to Grinnell’s classrooms, this time to teach two courses: a Wilson Center short course, The Enterprise on Freelance Journalism (her third turn with this course), and a Film and Media Studies short course, My Favorite Problematic Genre: Ethics of True Crime Media. In teaching these courses, Kunkel will not only share insights gained from her own professional experiences, but will provide an example of alumni achievement to current students still forging their own paths as they put knowledge into action.

More than Teaching

Alumni have the potential play a crucial role in enriching the educational experience for current students, providing them with unique insights, resources, and a sense of connection to their chosen fields. Kunkel embodies this potential as an educator and fellow Grinnellian who understands what it is like to and conquer the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities the Grinnell has to offer.

“I think having gone to Grinnell and being familiar with the culture may help students feel a little more comfortable,” she says. “I hope they feel that I'm here as a resource, as a someone who knows what their lives are like and what they're going through and isn't so far removed from the experience. I want my students to think of me as a colleague rather than their teacher.”

Luz Helena Alfaro-Alvarado ’22 recalls the profound impact Kunkel had on her as a teacher and a Grinnell alum with a shared experience.

 “We both went through the Grinnell experience, and that connection deepened our interactions,” she explains. “She knew about campus resources that we could tap into and how busy and exciting — and sometimes stressful — our student experiences were. She was receptive to our needs, and our intellectual inclinations, and the support she offered extended beyond classroom instruction helped connect us with significant opportunities like the Vox Media Writers Workshop, which I later participated in. Had she not introduced me to the opportunity, I would not have benefitted from the fantastic program.”

Kunkel’s influence continued to resonate with Alfaro-Alvarado after her time as a student as she transitioned into her professional career.

“This experience I received in the classroom helped me to better pitch myself and better translate ideas into writing to communicate with others,” she says. “This invaluable skill will serve me well even in my transition from my science career to technology.”

The teaching and mentorship provided by Kunkel, says Alfaro-Alvarado, was a valuable and important part of her journey because of the shared connection she felt with Kunkel and her ability to relate with her struggles, joys, and challenges as a student.

“The sense of solidarity and assistance from someone who has made it past the campus of Grinnell to make a successful career cannot be matched. I'd argue that strong alumni mentorship is one of the heaviest contributors to the success of a student during their Grinnell journey and afterwards.”