ASPIRE Mentor

One of the great things about ASPIRE is that the program is flexible, and coordinators can customize their program based on their site needs and goals. In fact, no ASPIRE program will be exactly the same. While all ASPIRE sites share the same mission to create a career and college readiness culture within their site, not all ASPIRE Sites are set up with a mentor program. But those that have a mentor program are extremely excited and appreciative of the time you will offer to make an impact in the lives of students.

Interested in becoming an ASPIRE Mentor? The following information explains your next steps:

1. Complete ASPIRE Interest Application – This will give you the opportunity to show your interest in becoming an ASPIRE mentor. Once you have completed this form noting your volunteer preferences and the school or community organization you would like to mentor, our ASPIRE staff will take your information and forward it on to ASPIRE coordinators in need of mentors and contact you within 1-2 weeks.
2.  ASPIRE Mentor Application and Background Check Required – Coordinator will contact you to complete the ASPIRE Mentor Application after you have been matched with a site. In addition, you will be required to complete a background check prior to working with students, which may take several weeks.
3. ASPIRE Training – Your site ASPIRE Coordinator will connect with you and provide information about their site mentor program, school/organization resources, and provide direction about your mentoring responsibilities. New mentors will be asked to watch the ASPIRE Mentor Training video and meet to receive onsite/virtual specific site training

ASPIRE offers virtual and in person training for mentors. Here are a few opportunities:

1. ASPIRE Mentor Training (required) - A brief overview of the ASPIRE program and your role as a mentor. Included are materials and resources you can use to begin as you meet with students. QR scans in the training gives you a way to quickly access the resources and information.
   ASPIRE Mentor Training Video Link Coming Soon
   ASPIRE Mentor Training PDF (Slides/Script) Link Coming Soon
2. ASPIRE Fall Conference – The ASPIRE Annual conference is open to ASPIRE mentors. If you have the opportunity to attend you will receive a wide variety of information on career and college planning resources, while also having the time to network with other mentors from across the state.
3. ASPIRE/OSAC Webinars – Ongoing training webinars offered throughout the year on topics ranging from financial aid, scholarships, grant programs, student support and college preparation, trades, and apprenticeships, etc.

NOTE: These trainings are intended for Mentors who have already been connected to an ASPIRE Mentor Program site and met with their ASPIRE site Coordinator.