Volunteer Mentor (Unpaid)

COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND•Cleveland, OH

About The Position

College Now needs YOU to mentor a local college scholarship recipient! College Now seeks passionate individuals to join our rewarding mentoring program and empower local college students! This program connects dedicated individuals with local scholarship recipients, who are often first-generation college students, facing financial and social barriers to college completion. By sharing your experience and guidance, you'll become a valuable resource and support system to a student. Just a few hours of your time each month can truly help a student navigate their academic journey and reach their full potential! The College Now Mentoring Program offers a flexible time commitment, allowing you to connect with your mentee online twice a month and meet occasionally throughout the year. College Now also provides ongoing support, hosts events, and connects mentors and students to valuable opportunities. As a mentor, you'll have the opportunity to build a meaningful connection and offer emotional support and understanding to your student. Sue, a current mentor of a junior student, shares, “ I think my biggest impact has been that I'm an unbiased listener and advisor. I can pose questions that friends and family may not ask or feel right about asking... I've been energized by Hailey's journey and am grateful to think that I've provided some support.” Our program boasts a proven impact, with College Now students graduating at nearly double the national rate for their peer group! Join a community of over 1,700 mentors already making a difference! Summary: College Now Mentors provide essential support and guidance to college students, empowering them to navigate their academic and personal journeys successfully. Mentors build positive, empathetic relationships with students, offering encouragement, advice, a listening ear, and insights on a range of college and life topics. This rewarding volunteer opportunity aims to support individual student success and contribute to the overall goal of increasing graduation rates within the program.

Requirements

Hold a post-secondary (two- or four-year) degree
Pass a criminal background check.
Have reliable access to the internet and proficiency in using technology.
Mentors will be matched with scholarship recipients who graduated from Northeast Ohio high schools; both local and out-of-state mentors are welcome.

Responsibilities

Communication and Connection: Leverage the Chronus mentoring platform to communicate regularly (minimum of twice per month) with your assigned student(s). New mentors will be considered for up to two student matches.
Schedule three or more in-person or virtual meetings with your student(s) per year.
Actively listen to your students’ needs and concerns, providing a safe space for them to share their experiences.
Long-Term Commitment: Commit to a mentoring relationship (up to six years) throughout the students’ post-secondary experience.
Understand that your role is to build rapport and offer guidance, not to dictate the students’ actions or decisions.
Guidance and Empowerment: Offer guidance on topics such as academic challenges, career exploration, social adjustment to college life, and other relevant areas.
Empower students to make their own informed decisions and achieve their goals.
Professional Development: Engage with mentor training, development, and connection opportunities to enhance your mentorship skills.
Communication with Program Staff: Communicate student updates and elevate any concerns to Mentoring Program Staff as needed.
Be open to feedback and willing to learn and grow as a mentor.