Mentorship Pair Shares Insight into Christian Union's Alumni Program
by Christian union america
Part of Christian Union’s mission is to transition alumni into the workforce or into graduate school well, linking them with a broad Christian network to support and sustain their faith for life. Mentors and mentees, paired largely based on common career paths, meet monthly to discuss topic such as seeking God, developing a bold faith, connecting to a local church, and navigating the workplace as a believer.
Ann Brooks is among the dozens of accomplished and faithful mentors with whom Christian Union America collaborates. After joyfully attending her mentee's wedding, she and her mentee, Delaney Thull, sat down to share some insights in the interview below:
Why did you sign up for the mentoring program?
Ann: I was “grandmothered” into CU’s mentoring program, having graduated from Princeton back in 1984, before CU existed. Because I became a Christian as a college student, and because my husband Roger’s parents mentored students at UNC-Chapel Hill for 50 years, we have a heart for college ministry. Roger and I supported CU from its beginning. And two of our children benefited from involvement in CU.
When, in 2019, I was invited to mentor a recent graduate, I was hesitant. I myself had only recently moved to North Carolina. The only career I’ve known is that of a full-time homemaker/wife/mother. But as my own children were leaving our nest and I wondered how God could still use me, I’ve been moved by the words of Psalm 71:
"O Lord, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hair,
O Lord, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all who come.”
God was giving me a chance to walk alongside a young woman and encourage her in her faith, and I said yes.
Delaney: When I moved to North Carolina for my PhD program, I was totally new to the area and was looking forward to meeting people. Mentorship and friendships through CU at Princeton were a beautiful part of my time in undergrad, so I liked the idea of being put in touch with another Princeton alumna in the CU community. I figured I might get some good advice on local churches to check out or fun places to explore on the weekends. Little did I know that I would make a very, very dear friend and benefit so much from the prayer and wise perspective she provided.
What have you found beneficial about the mentoring relationship?
Ann: What a delight! Delaney has become a dear friend. Roger and I were overjoyed to attend her wedding to Nate at their new home in Mobile, Alabama, this spring.
After our first meeting at the Carolina Coffee Shop in downtown Chapel Hill, Delaney and I always met at my home. We didn’t follow a script, but talked about grad school and church and family and friendship, and always wrapped up in prayer. It was encouraging to watch Delaney find a church, a Christian community at UNC, and friends, and to see how she quickly became a leader in her cohort in the Philosophy department. Watching God’s work in Delaney’s life spurred me on to be more and more “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
Delaney: PhD programs can be very intense and all-consuming (much like Princeton undergrad!). You must focus a lot on learning how to be a scholar, researcher, and teacher, and you must deal with the pressure of preparing for a very competitive academic job market. And I loved the immersive aspect of grad school—getting to deeply specialize in subjects I love was rewarding. But, alongside that intense immersion in philosophy, it was really healthy for me to have someone in my life who valued me as a whole person and not just as a scholar. Conversations with Ann were a place where I could think through what I wanted out of my academic career alongside my hopes and dreams for my personal life in a more comprehensive and integrated way.
How did having a mentor help your transition into post-grad life?
Delaney: Ann’s warm faith and generous hospitality were such a comforting presence in my life! It was always so refreshing to my spirit to be able to take a walk with her or have a cup of tea on her beautiful porch. Many challenges came with the transitions of moving to a new state, finding my footing as a PhD student, and navigating being a student during covid, but Ann was such an encouraging and faithful friend throughout.
Being around Ann and her loving family was a really helpful example for me to look up to. I knew I wanted to use my season of being in grad school to prepare me not just for a career in academic philosophy, but also for a family life of my own one day and for a lifetime of being involved in local church and local community. I had lots of great examples of academic careers to look up to at the University, but Ann provided a wonderful example of how to deeply value and invest in family and community. She always encouraged me to be intentional and thoughtful about how I was being formed by my time and relationships outside of school.
Would you recommend the mentoring program?
Ann: For those of you who might be in my stage of life–way out beyond college graduation yourself–I’d definitely encourage you to consider being a mentor to a recent graduate. We need to be proclaiming God’s might to the next generation. Nothing gives me more hope than spending time with young people who are seeking to follow God! Plus, you might just find a wonderful new friend.
Delaney: Absolutely! It is worth a shot. You’ll hopefully meet someone who can warmly welcome you to your new area and maybe introduce you to other alumni. But you might also meet someone wise, kind, and generous, who becomes a dear friend. (One you end up inviting to your wedding!)
Christian Union is grateful for Ann and all the mentors who generously give of their time to walk alongside a mentee in this program. Please join us in praying for the 57 new mentorship pairs for the CU Class of 2024 graduates. May God bless them richly.
