College Mentors for Kids, Inc.

Program Overview and Background

Over 20 years ago, two college student friends at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana had a dream of inspiring and building brighter futures for children. In 1996 they started pilot programs at Indiana University and Butler University, pairing mentors with 33 local kids. They officially opened their doors as a registered non–profit in 1997. Today, College Mentors for Kids serves 32 chapters across the United States.

Program Services

College Mentors inspires growth, confidence, and brighter futures. Each week children participate in developmentally appropriate activities about higher education and career, culture and diversity, or community service.

Our national after–school program pairs elementary students with a college student mentor for an entire academic year. Children learn alongside a college student mentor during weekly activities on a college campus.

Current sites are: Indiana University, Purdue University, University of Notre Dame, Valparaiso University, Wabash College, DePauw University, Miami University, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, University of Toledo, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina – Charlotte, and University of Maryland.

Target Population

College Mentors for Kids serves first through sixth graders from partner elementary schools.