About MENTORS FOR DIVERSE HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH

We are currently seeking undergraduate and graduate students to serve as mentors for Upward Bound high school students. We need people like you to share your experiences and valuable first-hand knowledge with students so that they can gain confidence and become more knowledgeable about succeeding in high school and college.

Benefits to Mentors: As an Upward Bound Mentor, you can gain intrinsic satisfaction and perspective by taking a break from your busy life to help students develop their potential by sharing what you've learned from your experiences. Youth mentoring allows you to develop positive, reciprocal relationships with young people. Mentoring also offers a unique opportunity to make sense of your own past experiences and reflect on how those experiences influence your current challenges.

Upward Bound Mentor Requirements:
• Volunteer as a mentor from 4:30pm to 5:30pm at least 6 Mondays of an Upward Bound semester – you can apply now for a future semester if you do not have Mondays available right away
• Be a role model. Provide students with the information, strategies, and support necessary to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors required to reach their high school and college goals. Model integrity, work ethic, punctuality, and appropriate dress attire.
• Facilitate a positive relationship with high school students from diverse backgrounds
• Log interactions with students in the Upward Bound contact log
• Pass required background check

Application Process

Application Process
• Fill out a mentor application and an MSU youth program background check. Both documents are available on this site. You can also email to Michelle at [email protected] stating you are interested in volunteering as a mentor or stop by S36 South Wonders Hall for the materials.
• You will be contacted once you pass the background check (happens quickly!) to let you know that we are starting the process to match you with an Upward Bound student.
• You will again be contacted for around any mentor news and, also, when you are matched with an Upward Bound student – you will likely be matched up in a very short period of time unless you indicated you are looking to start in a future semester.
• Even if you do not have your Mondays available in the current semester, but will in a future semester, please apply now and indicate that you are applying to begin another semester. We are always looking for great mentors!