Provost Scholars Program seeks mentors for East Cleveland students

The Provost Scholars Program seeks faculty, staff member, postdoctoral fellows and retired faculty to become mentors for area students. The deadline to apply is Friday, Nov. 6.

The Provost Scholars Program is a partnership between Case Western Reserve University and East Cleveland City Schools, offering mentoring and academic enrichment for 8th to 12th grade East Cleveland students who are enrolled at Heritage Middle School and Shaw High School. Since its founding in January 2013, more than 30 students and 25 CWRU faculty and staff members have participated in the program. This year, 27 students are Provost Scholars.

Students enrolled in the program come to CWRU every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon to participate in prescheduled activities. In the beginning of each academic year, Provost Scholars and their mentors will meet on Tuesday afternoons to discuss the mentee’s scholastic needs, career plans, and personal interests and ambitions. Several mentors have helped their mentees develop résumés, write college and scholarship essays, and apply for college admission. They also visit local museums in University Circle and even escort mentees on international exchange programs organized by local elected officials.

Each Thursday afternoon, high school seniors receive an hour of tutoring in SAT preparation, and students enrolled in the 8th to 11th grades get reading and math assistance.

In the last half of the session, CWRU faculty and speakers from local organizations and businesses are invited to speak with students in their area of interest or expertise. In the past, speakers have shared information on German and African-American History, health and wellness, music, adolescent health, civil rights and engagement, and more.

Becoming a mentor involves completing a yearly background check, attending a brief orientation and meeting weekly with a mentee on Tuesday afternoons from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Mentors will meet their mentees at Guilford House, stay with them on campus and return by 5 p.m. Co-mentoring options between faculty and staff members who wish to share the weekly time commitment are available.

Mentors can help Provost Scholars develop their academic and career goals, excel in their academic learning and fulfill their interests in the arts, dance, mechanical engineering, law, English and computer technology.

Contact Faye Gary, program director, at 216.368.5368 or fgary@case.edu or Katrice Williams, program manager, at katrice.williams@case.edu with questions.