Become a USNH Mentor
Many students make the decision to drop out of high school before they have even reached high school. College students can help these young people to understand the consequences of these negative decisions. Through Project Mentor, USNH college students mentor and tutor hundreds of middle school students, helping to raise their self-confidence, improve their academic performance, and increase their aspirations to graduate from high school and go on to college.
One-on-one interaction with a mentor for as little as 1 hour each week over a 3-year period can help a young student to develop the aspirations, and in some cases the learning skills and study habits, he or she needs to succeed in school throughout middle and high school years. Mentoring helps adolescents to know more about themselves, helps them to develop healthy self-esteem, and helps them to learn how to improve the way they cope with stress, change, and criticism.
A Mentor is a…
- Role model
- Tutor
- Guide
- Confidant
- Support
- Inspiration
- Friend
- Leader
- Coach
- Mediator
Mentors are expected to…
- Mentor for minimum of 1 hour per week
- Ensure mentee has transportation home
- Meet and check-in with teachers of mentee
- Check-in with parents, when appropriate
- Monitor mentee’s academic status
- Check homework/projects
- Call middle school liaison when unable to meet with mentee
- Apply middle school rules to behaviors
- Maintain confidentiality
Process
- Middle school students begin the program in grade 6.
- College students apply to Project Mentor at the end of freshman year for sophomore year selection (juniors and seniors may also be accepted).
- College students are asked to commit to the program for at least 1 year.
- Mentor assists mentee to develop plans for completing homework.
- Program concludes at the end of grade 8, with mentors focusing on careers and mentees focusing on postsecondary education.
- If possible, both students “graduate” and move on at the same time.
If you are interested in participating in Project Mentor, there are a few documents you will need to review. Click on the links below to learn more: