Bridging the Gap: Wentworth Launches Alumni Led Industrial Design Mentorship Program
On September 22, the School of Architecture and Design at Wentworth Institute of Technology celebrated the launch of its new Industrial Design Mentorship Program—an initiative more than a year in the making. Spearheaded by IPAC co-chairs Haik Tokatlyan ’12 and Courteney DiDomenico ’19, with recent graduate Eva Cloostermans ’24 leading the web design efforts, the program aims to connect current Industrial Design students with seasoned professionals for guidance, support, and real-world insight.
The mentorship program was born from a shared recognition of the disconnect many students feel between academic life and the professional design world. “Haik and I both experienced gaps in our student journey,” Courteney explained. “We often felt isolated from the broader design community—unsure how to build connections, navigate professional settings, or even find someone who had walked the path before us. These challenges still exist, and that’s why we felt this program was necessary.”
The program’s mission is clear: to create a bridge between students and industry professionals that’s approachable, authentic, and rooted in community. “This isn’t just about career advice,” Courteney added. “It’s about building confidence, learning through doing, and fostering a culture of support that lasts beyond graduation.”
Dean Sedef Doganer expressed enthusiasm for the launch, calling the program a model that could be replicated across other departments at Wentworth. The mentorship website—https://sites.wit.edu/ipac-mentors—currently features 17 mentors, many of whom are Wentworth alumni. Each profile includes areas of expertise, preferred meeting formats, and contact information, making it easy for students to find a mentor who aligns with their goals.
The launch event featured a “speed-dating” style mixer, where students rotated through brief conversations with mentors to find the right fit. Among the mentors was IPAC member Kirk Morris, who summed up the evening’s energy with a simple but powerful message: “Not everyone has access, so use it.” With approximately 20 mentors and 20 students in attendance, the event marked a promising start to what organizers hope will become a lasting tradition.