At Randolph-Macon Academy, graduation is the beginning of a lifelong relationship. Many alumni carry R-MA with them long after they leave campus, returning not simply as visitors, but as mentors who want to give back to the place that helped shape who they are. Through alumni mentorship, former cadets share their time, experience, and encouragement with students who are now walking the same paths they once did.
This connection across generations is one of R-MA’s greatest strengths. When alumni return, they bring perspective earned through experience, reminding cadets that growth takes time and that leadership is built step by step. In doing so, they strengthen a community grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a deep sense of responsibility to one another.
Alumni Mentorship Rooted in Shared Experience
What makes alumni mentorship at R-MA especially meaningful is the shared understanding that exists between mentors and cadets. Alumni know the structure, expectations, and rhythm of academy life because they lived it themselves. They remember the discipline required, the moments of self-doubt, and the pride that comes with personal growth.
That shared experience is reflected on campus every day through alumni who now serve as faculty, staff, and coaches, including Andy Harriman ’82 (Social Studies and Head Swim Coach), James Taafel ’05 (Cross Country and Track Coach), Dave English ’89 (Director of Student Life and Baseball Coach), and Jacob Gehly ’00, who volunteers his time as an assistant swim coach and is a member of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors.
When alumni speak with cadets, whether through informal conversations, leadership talks, or campus events, their guidance feels authentic. They do not speak in abstractions; they speak from experience. This helps cadets see leadership as something earned through effort, reflection, and perseverance, rather than something granted by position alone.
Strengthening Cadet Leadership Development
Revise to Alumni play a vital role in reinforcing cadet leadership development by showing how the lessons learned at R-MA translate beyond campus. Many alumni actively create opportunities for cadets to apply those lessons in real-world settings.
One recent example includes senior cadet Ivana Ocran ’25, who completed a J-Term internship with Virginia State Delegate David Reid ’80, an R-MA alumnus. Through that experience, Ivana gained firsthand exposure to public service, constituent engagement, and the daily responsibilities of leadership, connecting the academy’s emphasis on accountability, initiative, and service to meaningful work beyond the classroom. Examples like this help cadets clearly see how academics, teamwork, and character development at R-MA prepare them for future college, career, military, and civic opportunities.
Guidance That Supports the Whole Student
Alumni mentorship often extends beyond leadership alone. Many graduates offer advice on time management, study habits, and goal-setting, skills they themselves developed during their time at R-MA. While others help students think through college preparation, career exploration, and long-term aspirations.
For example, JJ Banek-Gabelle ’21, now a student at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, recently returned to campus to speak with cadets in the chapel, sharing insight into the transition from R-MA to college life and the expectations of a service academy. Like JJ, many alumni return on behalf of their colleges and universities, offering a firsthand perspective that helps current cadets better understand their options and plan confidently for what comes next.
Inspiring Confidence Through Example
Seeing alumni return with confidence and purpose has a powerful effect on students. Alumni visits, panels, and mentorship moments show cadets what is possible when discipline and character are paired with ambition. These interactions encourage students to take ownership of their development, pursue leadership roles, and remain resilient through challenges.
Many alumni also continue to serve the academy through outreach, service initiatives, and support programs. Alumni are actively involved in the life of the school through service on both the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees, helping guide the academy’s mission and long-term vision.
Their continued engagement reinforces Randolph-Macon Academy’s culture of service and ensures that opportunities remain strong for future generations.
A Community That Lasts a Lifetime
The strength of R-MA’s alumni network reflects the values of a community built on trust, continuity, and shared purpose. Alumni remain an integral part of the academy’s story, offering not only resources but also their time, perspective, and mentorship. Their presence reminds cadets that leadership includes lifting others as you move forward.
That commitment spans decades. Alumni routinely return to campus for milestone reunions, including 50th class reunions and beyond, gathering again at Homecoming to reconnect with classmates, faculty, and the academy that shaped them. Most recently, members of the Class of 1965 returned to campus to celebrate their enduring connection to R-MA.
For families considering R-MA, alumni mentorship at our private boarding school speaks volumes. It demonstrates that the academy fosters relationships that last well beyond graduation, relationships founded on care, accountability, and a genuine desire to see others succeed.
From cadet to mentor, R-MA alumni embody the academy’s belief that leadership is lived, not left behind. By returning to guide and support the next generation, they ensure that the values of Randolph-Macon Academy continue to grow, passed forward through service, connection, and example.
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