Become a Mentor
The First Generation Harvard Alumni Mentor Program aims to support current first-generation and/or low income (FGLI “fig-lee”) Harvard students. The Program pairs FGLI students with Harvard alumni -- students choose their mentors based on similarities in academic and professional interests, geographic proximity, and other criteria.
The mentor program has been a success since it was launched in 2012 with 17 mentors, and there has been a greater demand for mentors each year. Since inception, more than 700 incoming undergraduates have been matched with nearly 500 Harvard alumni.
In this moment of national racial awakening, FGHA is committed to recruiting our most diverse pool of mentors yet, especially BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). We will also broaden our pool of potential student mentees through new partnerships with student organizations like the Black Student Association, Black Men’s Forum, Act on a Dream, and others.
You are eligible to be a mentor if:
- You graduated from Harvard College or any Harvard graduate school.
- You can devote 2 hours each month to mentor a Harvard undergraduate, virtually or in person, during the school year.
We do not believe that an alumni needs to be first-gen and/or low-income themselves to be an effective mentor for FGLI students. We invite all alumni with an interest in supporting current Harvard undergraduates to consider joining our mentor program. We, and the students we serve, need your perspective now more than ever!
Mentors are expected to communicate – whether at an in-person meeting, through e-mail or by telephone – at least once per month. This relationship begins with a one-year commitment and may continue for the duration of the student’s time at Harvard if both people wish this to be the case. You can be a valuable resource for a current student even if you do not live near Cambridge and are only available by phone, email, or other electronic means.
We recently expanded the program to include upper-level Harvard undergraduates. If you have any questions or are interested in becoming a mentor, please click here to apply or email us at fghamentoring@gmail.com.