Lighting a Match
USI Mentor Match Builds Confidence and Connection
By Breanna Wyman
AFTER TWO YEARS as an information systems major at the University of Southern Indiana, Tanner Hux '27 knew he needed a change.
A self-described "people person," Hux recognized that his career plans weren't the best fit for his talents, but like many college students reevaluating their futures, he wanted extra support to begin his new path.
This past year, Hux made the switch to marketing and enrolled in USI's newly revitalized Mentor Match program to kickstart his experience. Housed within Alumni Engagement and Volunteer USI, the program gives students the foundation to build meaningful industry connections.
"I like developing relationships with people. When my professor reached out about the program, I figured it might give me the best option for leverage in this field."
- Tanner Hux '27
With the world becoming increasingly more virtual, many college students may not instinctively seek a live person for career advice. However, having a mentor who's been through the same situation can help students build self-awareness, relationships and confidence they can carry into their careers.
"I have been promoting this program for years in my classes," said Dr. Nicolas Jankuhn, Assistant Professor of Marketing. "It is an invaluable but underused resource for our students."
Mentor Match works in collaboration with the Career Success Center to prepare students like Hux for life after college. The Center utilizes a software called Symplicity for its Career Launch program, which enables students to search for jobs and internships. Symplicity has a mentoring platform that supports the Mentor Match program, and the new matching system went live in fall 2025.
With helpful resources and scheduling flexibility, the program is designed to fit any combination of student needs. Mentors can serve as a one- time resource for topics like exploring majors, resume reviews and interview questions, or provide long-term career advice.
Both mentors and mentees sign up via the Mentor Match website. From there, students take the lead, scanning the database of registered USI alumni, employees and community members in their field of interest. Once students choose their mentor, they initiate the contact process online, forming career connections at the click of a button.
For Hux, finding a match was only the beginning. Embracing his personability, Hux intends to pursue a career as an account executive in sales and wanted to connect with someone knowledgeable about people and businesses in the community. The program helped him find recent alumna Laura Gobert '24, whose public relations and advertising degree informs her work as the Events and Experiences Coordinator for the Downtown Evansville Improvement District (DEID).
The two initially met on campus and realized that though Gobert's role involves more community engagement, her experiences with social media and public relations helped Hux better understand the variety of options in his field. Gobert even broadened Hux's professional network, introducing him to Tommy Kautzman '24, an Inside Sales Representative at Heritage Petroleum, LLC. In addition to Gobert, Hux now corresponds with Kautzman, discussing sales tactics and career options that maximize his talents.
"I signed up to mentor because I wanted to give back and be a part of someone's success. Seeing it all come together is very rewarding."
- Laura Gobert '24
A strong professional connection goes both ways, so when Gobert needed volunteers for the DEID event Dog Day Downtown, she knew who to call. A member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity, Hux quickly mobilized his fraternity brothers to assist with activities, guest safety and distributing treats to visiting pups, which they plan to continue at future events.
"Community service is a big aspect of our fraternity, so helping at these events not only benefits me, but also my fraternity brothers," said Hux.
As a recent graduate, Gobert understands the daunting process of career development firsthand, and her motivation to mentor reflects her own student experiences.
While at USI, Gobert played an active role on campus and secured several internships, one leading to a full-time position when she graduated. She appreciates the impact of making professional connections as a student, along with the doors those connections can open.
"I wish this robust of a program existed when I was a student," said Gobert. "I would really have benefited from it."
Hux and Gobert's partnership is just one story of how Mentor Match is shaping this region's next generation of professionals. Since revamping the program in August 2025, more than 40 alumni have joined Mentor Match, forming a network to help future USI graduates build career confidence.
"I really enjoy the relaxed setup of the Mentor Match program," said Hux. "Meeting with Laura has already given me a lot of opportunities to grow personally and professionally."
Both Hux and Gobert follow up frequently, showing how USI brings community engagement and a culture of care to the forefront of student guidance.
Mentor Match is open to all current USI students. Alumni, employees and community members are invited to join the program as mentors.
Sign up at USI.edu/alumni/mentor-match
