January is National Mentoring Month, and every Monday we’ll highlight notable UM alumni who are sharing advice with others through UM Cafe: the university’s online mentorship platform.

Despite decades of success on the basketball court, Michele Sung [BKin/09] believes winning isn’t the be-all-end-all for student-athletes. Instead, she prioritizes the personal growth of her players through a love for the game and community involvement.

During her undergrad, Sung became a mentor coach for Indigenous youth and at summer camps, receiving the Sylvia Sweeney award for outstanding achievement in sport, academics, and community service. As an alumna, she’d go on to play in Europe before leading Canada’s U17 female team to a bronze medal in the 2013 Canada Summer Games. She is currently in her 7th year as head coach for the Bisons women’s basketball team.