Thank you for your interest in becoming a Mentor with the PRL Keystone Foundation's PRL Scholars Program!
The PRL Keystone Foundation is a family foundation that seeks to eliminate barriers, promote access to, and support completion of postsecondary education. They achieve this through the PRL Legacy Program: a 5-year college readiness curriculum and full scholarship to an accredited institution.
Mentorship is cornerstone of the 5-year PRL Legacy Program, where we match our students with adults who provide guidance by sharing their diverse perspectives, insights, and experiences during our monthly workshops. The workshop content is based on grade level. A total of 15 co-mentors work alongside one another in groups of 3 to support a maximum of 4 total Scholars, creating a safe, welcoming space where Scholars feel comfortable dreaming big and creating strategies to achieve their unique goals. Mentors working with 8th or 12th graders focus on cultivating the skills necessary to make a successful transition to high school or college, while those engaging with 9th, 10th, or 11th grade Scholars emphasize academic outcomes and honing college aspirations. Mentors are always supported by skilled PRL staff who provide all training and curriculum necessary, so Mentors feel equipped for any situation.
Mentor Requirements:
Mentors must be at least 21 years of age and have graduated from a 2- or 4-year postsecondary institution by the start of the program (September 2023). They must reside within the greater Madison area (as our events take place in person) and clear a PRL-provided background screening. Previous Mentor experience is not required. Our Mentors are a diverse group of people committed to both learning from and enlightening PRL Scholars. An ideal Mentor candidate possesses many of the same leadership skills we are seeking to cultivate in Scholars through our program. These include self-awareness, growth mindset, communication, embracing differences, accountability, agility, problem solving, decision making, and managing change.
Mentor Commitment:
Each Mentor is asked to commit to the program for at least 2 years. During this time, Mentors participate in monthly workshops alongside the Scholars and their co-mentors. Twice yearly trainings are required, and there are also occasional social gatherings that Mentors will be encouraged to attend. About 2 hours each month can be expected.
Application and Onboarding:
Applications are due August 13th. Within one week of you completing and submitting your application, you will receive an email with information about how to set up a 15-20 minute phone interview. After the interview is complete, you will be instructed to complete a background check. Finally, if selected as a Mentor, you will receive information about the required Mentor training, which will take place in late August. Workshops with Scholars begin in September. Mentors will receive the full semester of required dates at the training.
If you have any questions about PRL or the Mentor process, please contact Megan Dow at megan@prlkeystone.org
