Mentor Connect was a fantastic event that truly exemplified the well-known saying, “Nothing brings people together like good food.”

Held at the International Marketplace in Waikiki, the mixer provided a fun opportunity for Shidler students to connect with alumni while dining on incredible dishes prepared by three of Honolulu’s trendy new restaurants - Yauatcha, Eating House 1849 by Roy Yamaguchi, and The Street by Michael Mina.

Attendees spent the evening restaurant hopping in a casual, round-robin format that presented students with an opportunity to interact with a different mentor at each of the three eateries they visited.

“It was a unique venue and format [for a mentoring event] and everyone was excited to be a part of it,” commented Shidler undergraduate student and event organizer Kelli Sunabe. “This was a new and refreshing way for us to interact with professionals. The casual atmosphere centered around food made us feel really comfortable and helped us to connect with our mentors. Also, we really loved the food!”

Mentor Connect was held on September 6 and was organized by the students of the Shidler Global Leaders program with support from the Shidler Alumni Association. Approximately 30 Shidler students and 30 alumni were invited to participate in the event which kicked off the Shidler Global Leaders’ new mentorship program.

To view photos from Mentor Connect 2017, click on the Flickr album below.