Academic Mentors
Academic Mentoring places K-State students in local schools and organizations to help promote and support math and reading skills, family literacy and youth-related programming. K-State students serve as mentors who work with area youth to provide academic assistance as well as motivation and support. This program is a qualified Community Service Federal Work Study placement site for students eligible for Federal Work Study.
Who mentors and where?
Mentors are matched with schools and community sites based upon need, availability and work setting. Currently Academic Mentoring has placement sites at the following locations: Boys & Girls Club sites (5th Street, Lee Elementary, Marlatt Elementary, Theodore Roosevelt Elementary), College Hill Preschool, Hand 2 Hand at the Douglass Center, HeadStart Preschool , Eisenhower Middle School, Lee Elementary, Marlatt Elementary, K-State Child Development Center, Manhattan Catholic Schools, Ogden Community Center, St. George Elementary School and Central Elementary and West Elementary in Wamego.
What are the program requirements?
• Serve a minimum of 10 hours per week at an assigned site for at least two semesters
• Attend meetings every two weeks
• Be responsible, reliable, and a positive role model
• Federal Work-Study students are preferred. (There are limited non-federal work study positions).
• Accepted Criminal Background check.
What are the benefits?
Since each Academic Mentor has different experiences, the benefits are numerous. No one can say the benefits better than the Academic Mentors themselves. Follow the link to read all of the benefits they have shared.
Receiving the Gold Star!
In February 2012, Academic Mentoring receiving Kansas Mentor's Gold Star certification. Gold Star certification is for programs mentoring services to youth and that have completed the Gold Star registration process to ensure commitment to quality and effective program practices. Receiving the Gold Star certification was a long term goal for Student Program Coordinators Amy Gasser and Courtney Weerts. "Receiving the opportunity to be a part of the Kansas Mentors' Gold Star program is a huge honor," Amy said. "With this accomplishment we can continue to expand and enhance our program." Amy and Courtney cannot take all of the credit for the program receiving this honor. "Without the mentors, none of the things we have accomplished this year would have happened," Amy said.
Who are the staff?
Amy Gasser (left) is a senior in Elementary Education with a concentration in Social Sciences. As a Student Program Coordinator for Academic Mentoring, Amy would like to provide youth with positive role models in their life whether it is academically or socially.
Courtney Weerts (right) is a senior from Olathe, KS and is majoring in Social Work. As an Academic Mentoring Program Coordinator, I plan to help develop strong leaders that will be sent into the community to help children become the better leaders of tomorrow.
To read about what our mentors are doing, please follow the link to their blogs.
How does someone become a mentor?
Applications are accepted at any time but the selection process usually starts at the beginning of each semester. Apply here!
To apply, complete the Academic Mentor application and turn it into the HandsOn Kansas State, 103 Leadership Studies Building, and Manhattan, KS 66506. For further questions, contact Academic Mentoring program staff at amentor@ksu.edu or (785) 532-0675.