An alumni group providing support to graduates of Gateway Community College’s allied health and nursing programs will meet from 4 - 6 p.m. on Friday, March 28 in room S415 on the GCC campus (20 Church Street, New Haven). The group will address mentoring and networking in health professions. Sam Osei, R.N., B.S., a 2006 graduate of Gateway’s nursing program, noted that this will be the group’s second meeting and will provide a great opportunity to bring together alumni to share experiences.

During the first alumni meeting, graduates addressed challenges experienced in the field, as well as the need for further education to compete for advancement opportunities in health care. Gateway offers associate degree programs in dietetic technology, exercise science and wellness, nuclear medicine technology, nursing, radiation therapy, and radiography, but has articulation agreements with a number of colleges offering bachelor’s degrees, creating seamless transitions for those looking to further their education.

Osei, a registered nurse at Gaylord Hospital and part-time outreach coordinator for Gateway’s nursing and allied health programs, earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing at Charter Oak State College. He is currently completing a Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Hartford and can relate to the challenges of juggling work and school that some of his fellow alumni experience.

Osei said that Gateway provides support and mentoring for students, but the College would like to expand to provide mentors to alumni as well. The meeting will provide a forum to discuss methods for establishing an alumni mentoring program.

“Graduates still need mentoring,” Osei said, noting that graduates with mentors are generally more successful.
The alumni meeting will also address the importance of networking for creating job opportunities. Osei said that if alumni are aware of position openings in allied health or nursing, it would be helpful if they can share that information to support fellow Gateway graduates.