Become A Mentor

Marta Washington Gore Foundation Scholars Program mentors play a transformative role in a scholar's first year of college. Mentors serve as sources of encouragement, accountability, and professional guidance, helping scholars build the confidence and skills needed to thrive in college and beyond. Mentor matches are made by the MWGF Foundation based on each scholar's educational and career goals, ensuring a meaningful and purposeful pairing from the start.

As a mentor, you will:

Spark impact on an underrepresented college student
Contribute to a community grounded in equity, resilience, and belonging
Develop and sharpen your own mentorship, coaching, and leadership skills
Join a network of professionals committed to educational equity

Mentor Expectations & Commitments

Select at least one Virtual Mentor Meeting over the course of the program (August, October, December, February, April, or June). Committing to more than one is always welcome but not required. Sessions should range from 45–60 minutes, but can go longer as schedules allow. Meeting outside of the program is always welcome if both parties would like to further the mentoring relationship.
Use the foundation-provided discussion questions as a starting point for each mentor meeting, and feel free to guide the conversation as you see fit.
Complete brief program surveys after your mentorship session to help the foundation support both you and your mentee.
Be responsive to mentees in a timely manner. Notify program VP Janelle Gore promptly of any major scheduling conflicts or concerns.
Maintain professional mentoring boundaries and adhere to the MWGF Mentor Code of Conduct at all times.

Program Components

Mentor Meetings (where you come in!)

Six industry leaders and early careerists are identified for each student for a formal 1-hour VIRTUAL networking call. If the mentor and the student want to continue meeting outside of the scheduled meeting, they are free to do so and are encouraged. Topics will range from career interests to navigating college and more.

Workshops

Six virtual workshops will be held bi-monthly to support students during their matriculation. Workshops are 1-hour in duration and led by the foundation board members.

Community Service

During the March workshop scholars will be encouraged to identify one meaningful way to serve within a

community, organization, or cause they already care about on their college campus. The goal is not to add

burden to a demanding first year, but to practice contributing in a space that feels personal and purposeful.

Program staff will help scholars identify an opportunity during the program year (around

March), with the expectation that scholars take the lead in finding and completing their service experience.

Capstone Project

The capstone is a 10–15 minute virtual presentation delivered at the end of the program year before the full cohort, mentors, and foundation staff. Scholars will reflect on their year of growth by sharing their goals and progress, a challenge they navigated, what they learned about their career path, their community service experience, and their vision for the year ahead. The capstone serves as both a celebration of the scholar's journey and a milestone in developing their voice and leadership.

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