Staff Support
Every mentoring pair is assigned a full-time "College Success Program Manager," based at the partner school, who teaches the weekly iMentor class, and ensures that mentors and students connect weekly online and meet in-person monthly. iMentor matches pairs based on mentor and student profiles, and we provide expert advice on how to build a strong mentoring relationship. Our staff also provides curriculum assistance and project management support for the college process.
Curriculum
Our program guides each mentoring pair toward a strong relationship, built on trust and honesty. The online curriculum, paired with in-person interactions between mentors and students, helps everyone work consistently toward the goals of college admission, enrollment, and ultimately graduation. Each lesson focuses on helping students develop the non-cognitive skills necessary to navigate personal and academic challenges.
Technology Platform
iMentor uses technology tools to enhance personal relationships. Our online mentoring platform allows mentors and students to connect securely using web applications that guide them through the college success curriculum and help them stay in touch. We also provide access to our Learning Center, where mentors find helpful articles, resources, and guidance.
Mentor Community
Our program staff hold a "mentor huddle" each month, immediately following pair events. These informal conversations give mentors a space to reflect on shared challenges and small wins with their mentees. In addition, mentors will have opportunities to connect with other mentors regularly through happy hours, panel events, Monthly Learning Moments, and much more.
How to Get Started
Becoming a mentor is easy.
Fill out the contact form below to learn how you can help a young person achieve their ambitions.
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Meet Our Mentors
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Chanel Dennis
Mentor for 4 years
New York, NY"Way back in 2012, when I had a tiny iPhone, but a big heart, I searched for a volunteer opportunity. I wanted to help young people, but I didn’t have many hours to give as a busy professional. Enter iMentor. They matched me with Paula, a great student, with endless potential. She was eligible to attend any top school. The only problem was that she wasn’t actively planning for her collegiate future. That changed as we worked together, and she is now a junior at Cornell University studying pre-medicine. She would likely never have applied to her dream school without my nudging, and I would never have met her without iMentor."
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Alex Ryan
Mentor for 2 years
New York, NY"I was intimidated when I started mentoring, doubting that I could bring much value to a high school student looking ahead to college. But by being a friend to my mentee Rasaiah, my view changed. Early on, he expressed his plan to study psychology in college. Throughout our match, I have helped him explore career options related to his interests—even arranging an internship for him at my company. Seeing him become more confident and focused has been an awesome experience. He’s starting to think bigger — about college, his career, and his future. In turn, Rasaiah has challenged me to think bigger about the world."
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Merita Bushi
Mentor for 2 years
Chicago, IL"It's important for me to give back as someone who was also a first-generation student. I didn’t have a mentor and it was very confusing. What keeps me motivated is that the contact is constant. You get to know a young person and be part of their life. I get to have a direct impact on my mentee’s future – we don’t always agree on everything – but together through our conversations we’re creating new knowledge and new perspectives that she wouldn’t have otherwise gotten. I don’t know of other opportunities that have that kind of impact."
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Jason McGee
Mentor for 2 years
Chicago, IL"My mentoring experience has been very positive, and I have been so impressed by the organization. I didn’t really know much about iMentor when I signed up, but I knew they offered me an opportunity to make a difference in the community. iMentor's staff are professional and I appreciate how closely they coordinate with the school. From my observation, their events go off flawlessly and everyone has a good time. As a volunteer, I appreciate that I never feel like my time is wasted or taken for granted."