The role of college and faculty mentoring on intellectual engagement, career, interpersonal relationships and personal development perceived by private college versus public university alums

ABSTRACT This study examined how academic and faculty mentoring experience in public and private colleges make a long-term impact on people’s intellectual lives, careers, interpersonal relationships, and personal development. This study employed a qualitative case study research methodology with twenty-four alumni who graduated from either a private liberal arts college or a public R1 university. For data collection, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted and telephone interviews were employed for this purpose. Collected interview data were transcribed for analysis. The findings illuminate ways in which college experience affects the graduates’ lives many years after they graduated. Based on the findings, implications for research and practice are discussed.