John Tafaro was the fifth president of Chatfield College and oversaw a decade of mentoring and education at the former two-year liberal arts college. He served as president from 2009 to 2019 and helped formalize a student mentoring program that included recruitment, training, data collection, and outcomes assessment.

John himself mentored two students from Goshen High School and enjoyed that very much, so after retiring, mentoring with The Chatfield Edge was a natural progression.

“Like almost all mentors I have met, we receive more from the experience than we think we give,” said John.

John is a strong proponent of lifelong learning, which is one of the reasons he values mentoring.

“You are never too old to learn or to learn from others, regardless of their age, circumstances, or where they are on their educational and life journey.”

If John could dine with one person, living or deceased, he would choose President Ulysses S. Grant. President Grant was born in Brown County, and John finds the historical sites nearby, preserved by dear friends of his, Judy and John Ruthven, fascinating and engaging. The Ruthvens, both deceased now, were long and loyal supporters of Chatfield College.

“[President] Grant was truly a great leader. He played a pivotal role in winning and ending the Civil War and is vastly underrated as a U.S. President. He served during difficult times and achieved significant success in bringing the nation back together.”

Reflecting on his own lifetime of learning, John would offer his 15-year-old self and others this advice: work hard, be honest, repay your debts, remember where you came from, and return all phone calls and emails when that technology is deployed.

The Chatfield Edge is growing and needs more mentors to accompany its first-generation and non-traditional students enrolled in college, trade school, and certificate programs. We provide training for our mentors, who meet with students about four times each semester to encourage them along their path to success in life through education. To find out more or to sign up to be a mentor, contact David Hesson, Director of Programs, at david.hesson@chatfieldedge.org or call 513 875 3344 x 115.