Alumni spotlight: Sharron McDaniel (B.S.W. ’17)
Sharron McDaniel (B.S.W. ’17) found her village in the Black Alumni Council Mentoring Circle program at VCU. The Mentoring Circle, which began in the 2015-16 academic year, supports recruitment and retention of Black students by connecting them with Black alumni mentors. She now serves as mentoring coordinator for the program and is celebrating the Mentoring Circle’s 10-year legacy of empowering Black students on campus. The program has grown from nine mentee/mentor pairings in its first year to 129 pairings in 2023-2024.
Meet Sharron and learn more about the Mentoring Circle.
What made you choose VCU?
As a Richmond native, VCU has always been a landmark when driving through the city. VCU mirrored the diverse atmosphere that I experienced while at Hermitage High School, which was an important factor in deciding on a university to attend. Lastly, my mother is a VCU alum (Class of 1989), and the honor of carrying on her legacy is an accomplishment that I am extremely proud of.
What drew you to the Mentoring Circle?
In 2015, I remember one of my professors in the African American studies department sharing with us the African American Alumni Council Mentoring Circle program [The African American Alumni Council is the predecessor of the BAC]. It was a new way for Black alumni to support and coach Black students to navigate the world as Black professionals and build community with each other. There were about 20 of us in the first cohort, and we attended our first event, which was filled with our elders who welcomed us with open arms. It was truly refreshing, as I had not seen many Black alumni on or around campus before this.
Describe you and your mentor’s relationship. How has mentorship helped you become the person you are today?
My mentor and I met in 2015 at the start of the Mentoring Circle program, and we have been in each other’s lives ever since. She is an active part of my village and networking community. She has encouraged me to pursue entrepreneurship, and continues to inspire me to stay active in my sorority.
We’re coming up on the 10-year anniversary of the Mentoring Circle. Why was it needed then? How has it changed?
The Mentoring Circle was established to provide Black students at VCU a safe and culturally relevant space to receive support and a sense of community from alumni. Back then, I had no clue that there were so many Black alumni willing to help students. Now it has become a staple, an award-winning program helping guide students to academic, personal and professional success.
Throughout the years, the program has expanded, and now there is a virtual component to allow alumni from all over the world to interact and engage with students.
What are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to celebrating the legacy that the Mentoring Circle has been able to carry on for 10 years – most specifically the annual Mocktail Party and supporting our mentees at graduation!
Anything else you want to share with our alumni?
If you have the capacity and interest to mentor a student, please dedicate yourself to becoming a mentor in the Black Alumni Council Mentoring Circle. So many students are in need of guidance and a helping hand from someone who looks like them. There aren’t enough identity-based mentoring programs that prioritize Black culture, so be a part of history and become a mentor today!
Categories Alumni