Mentor a Student

TFAS is seeking working professionals in the Washington, D.C. area to volunteer as mentors to college students attending our programs this summer. Mentors are matched with students based on several common factors including professional field, hometown, alma mater and political ideology. 

How to Sign Up

Fill out our short Mentor Program Sign-Up Survey by Monday, April 17.

Based on your answers, we will match you with a student and connect you with them by email before the start of the program on June 3.

Mentor Program Requirements
Special assistant to the Secretary of State, Victoria Ellington, served as a D.C. Summer Program mentor in 2019.

To help you and your mentee get the most out of the program, we’ve developed the following program requirements:

  • Commitment to serve as a mentor during the eight-week summer program (June 3 – July 28).
  • Willingness to meet with your mentee once a week (discussion topics will be provided), including at least 2 in-person meetings with the rest being conducted via Zoom or Facetime.
  • Send an introductory email to your mentee prior to the program, and stay in touch throughout the summer.
  • Be a working professional in the D.C. metro area OR a TFAS alumnus who has previously lived and worked in D.C.
  • Possess two or more years of full-time professional experience OR be a TFAS alumnus.

April 17 – Registration Deadline

Mid-May: Mentor/Student matching notifications sent via email

June 3: Students arrive in Washington, D.C.

Mid-June: Meet Your Mentor Breakfast

About the Program + TFAS Students

The TFAS Mentor Program is designed to help provide a well-rounded Washington experience. Students will be matched with area professionals who can offer career guidance; review their resumes, share insider tips and offer general advice. Many of our students are looking to make connections in the Washington, D.C. area to expand their network.

Students undergo a rigorous application process before being accepted into our programs. Most are upperclassmen and have an average GPA of 3.5. Our students are from campuses across the United States and abroad, ranging from small private colleges to large state universities.

Kayla Davis connects with her TFAS mentor during a past “Meet Your Mentor” breakfast.

Students attend our Academic Internship Program which combines online coursework and professional development seminars with internships. Internship areas include:

  • Public Policy
  • International Affairs
  • Lobbying, Business and Government Relations
  • Journalism and Communications
  • Nonprofit
  • Legal
Why Mentor?

Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, you probably remember your college days and the difficult decisions you faced at this critical crossroads of life. No matter the preparation, the transition from college campus to the working world was most likely a stressful one. Now you can positively influence a young person and gain personal satisfaction in the process. Some benefits of mentoring:

Andrew Powaleny ’08 meets with his mentee at the “Meet Your Mentor” Breakfast.
  • Increase your understanding of your own personal and professional goals.
  • Gain personal satisfaction as you help a future leader.
  • Develop new skills, such as counseling and strategic thinking.
  • Receive invitations to future TFAS networking and volunteer appreciation events throughout the year.