VILLANOVA, Pa.—Mentor applications are now being accepted for the
Student-Athlete Mentor Program, a new initiative from Villanova Athletics which matches current student-athletes with professional mentors in their chosen fields of study. The program was announced in the fall and officially launched this week with the opening of the mentor application. Student-athletes will be able to apply for the program next month.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Student-Athlete Mentor Program provides current Villanova student-athletes with an opportunity to learn first-hand perspectives about the industries that align with their professional interests and desired career paths. The program is the result of a collaborative effort between the Office of Academic Support for Athletics, Student-Athlete Development and the Villanova Athletic Fund, and includes an extensive network of former student-athletes, trusted alumni, parents and friends of Villanova Athletics.
MENTOR APPLICATIONS
Interested mentors can apply through the application link at the top of this release. All applications will be approved by athletics staff, and once approved the mentors can begin reviewing and reading resources in the platform. Mentors will be matched with student-athletes based on the algorithm in the software application. The algorithm pulls information from registration questions, profile criteria, and student-athletes preferences regarding what they are looking for in a mentor.
MENTOR CRITERIA
In order to qualify as a mentor for the program, applicants should have at least three or more years of experience in the professional workforce and in their current field. They should be currently employed or retired and must make a commitment to at least one academic year of mentorship, with regular check-ins during the 2019-20 school year. Mentor applicants must also be living in the continental United States. Applying to be a mentor does not guarantee acceptance into the program, or that a mentor will be matched with a student-athlete during the first cycle of the program.
MATCHING MENTORS WITH STUDENT-ATHLETES
Matches will be made between mentors and student-athletes in the summer of 2019, with virtual introductions being made late in the summer. The number of matches and the ability to be matched in the first cycle of the program will be dependent on the number of mentor and student-athlete applicants.
MISSION OF THE PROGRAM
The primary mission of the Student-Athlete Mentor Program is to initiate and develop relationships between current Villanova student-athletes and professionals from a wide array of industries. These connections provide student-athletes guidance and direction pertaining to their current and future personal goals, as well as with professional development opportunities tied to their career aspirations. Mentors will offer expertise and professional advice that will help current student-athletes navigate their life beyond Villanova. For questions about the program, please contact
athleticsmentoring@villanova.edu.
