A proud first-generation student, Erin Mayhood's journey to CEO uplifts a critical shift in higher education and the importance of relationships amid resiliency
As we look to the future at Mentor Collective, it is with great pride and excitement that I introduce myself as your new CEO. Rather than jump right into the what in relation to my vision for this extraordinary, mission-driven company, I feel it’s important for you to understand my why. Why I do this work and why I’m motivated now more than ever to ensure that all students across higher education receive the gift of a trusted peer mentor.
I never envisioned a corporate path growing up in small town Ontario, where college degrees and venture capitalists were novelties—music was my world. Yet, the discipline and collaboration I cherished in musical ensembles became the first note of my unconventional career opus, leading me to the revered halls of The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Bloomington, an institution that holds a special place in my heart as a proud first-generation college student.
Navigating higher education was both intimidating and thrilling. And unfortunately my journey included an injury that silenced my dreams of a classical music career. Like so many students, being resilient was not a choice, but I kept going and found a new path.
It was in libraries where I found myself again. Surrounded by incredible advisors, faculty & peers I explored a career in Information Science, delving into technology and how it can amplify our access to information. I was surprised at how the rapid growth of technology fed my creative spirit. I became passionate about ways technology could uplift and solve very real human problems without sacrificing our humanity.
This passion grew as I worked in various library and higher education roles, but it was fully formed when I turned my gaze to EdTech in 2012. EdTech pulled together my passions and pathways in the way that a map weaves streets and cities together. It gave space to things that I hold dear – education, technology, and mentorship – and it led me to this message today.
Empowering all people to achieve their full potential via mentorship is our mission at Mentor Collective. Engagement with your campus, learning environments and your peers isn't merely participation—it's the connection that sustains and nourishes. Every student navigating their unique journey needs to feel and know they belong. They need to be uplifted and supported when the inevitable challenges appear. Who will be there for them when they need to make choices others in their family had never faced? What services will help them navigate a challenging life event? Unblocking student challenges is what will help achieve their dreams. It will help us as a society reach new heights.
What brought me to Mentor Collective was the mission and the promise of what was possible. Today, the data, experiences, and impact lead us. We believed in this work as it grew from vision to product. Now, we’re fueled by evidence in the form of affirmative responses, retention increases, closing equity gaps, and success stories that echo through institutions nationwide. The platform we offer is more than technology; it's a connector driven by human experiences. It's a means of understanding people better and meeting them where they are in a time where misassumptions are not just inconvenient but dangerous.
As I step further into leadership, I aim to accelerate our impact. We are at a critical juncture - shrinking student engagement, growing student need, enrollment cliffs, persistence issues, and continued demand to close skill gaps. Administrative capability will not be able to solve all of these challenges on their own. But there is a path. We have witnessed the transformative nature of peer and near-peer relationships to support students through every step of their educational journey. We have moved beyond mere engagement to fostering a profound sense of belonging, safe and supportive ways to identify blockers and to provide institutions with insights to support their journey in helping every student succeed.
Underpinned by data and experiences that confirm—our approach works.
Seeing how our more than 200 partner institutions are using our mentoring software and services team assures me that we are not just witnesses to change, but participants.
To the mentors in my life, as well as within our programs—thank you. You are the unsung heroes who embrace the power of human connection. You foster belonging, you encourage help-seeking behavior, you help us achieve our dreams.
If this is the first time you are learning about Mentor Collective, I encourage you to be curious and challenge your beliefs around the limitations of running a mentorship initiative. Think of the progress you could make with institutional strategies if you provided the right intervention to the right student at the right time across an entire cohort.
Human connection, introspection, and empathy are the most powerful tools we have. When combined and amplified by technology we have immense potential for positive change. Let’s give every student a chance to design a future of their choosing.
I am truly honored to be on this journey with you all and look forward to the impact we will create together.
In partnership,