The ACES Mentoring Program is a new, formal mentoring program that is designed to foster meaningful connections between current students and our alumni community. This program is presented by the ACES Alumni Association in collaboration with the ACES Alumni Board and ACES Career Services.
Key Details:
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Commitments: The program will run from October-April. Matches will be encouraged to meet once a month but are welcome to find a schedule that works for them. Suggested meeting topics will be provided for inspiration, but our goal is for this program to support students where they need.
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Applications: Whether you're a student or an alum, watch your mandatory expectations video and fill out the application through the links below.
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We're starting small: As this is a pilot year for the program, we may not be able to match every applicant. We are committed to making thoughtful and meaningful pairings wherever possible but want to ensure we dedicate ample time and attention to this foundation. Any applicants who are not matched will be directed to additional ACES resources.
- There is no requirement: Participation in this program is completely voluntary. We're searching for students and alumni who are genuinely interested in building a meaningful mentoring relationship and believe that authentic engagement is the key to that experience.
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Students
ACES students are invited to review the FAQ's below and apply for the program. During this pilot year, preference will be given to applicants with sophomore standing, but undergraduate students of all years are invited to submit an application.
Before completing your application, you must watch the mandatory mentee expectations video to understand the program requirements.
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Alumni
All ACES Alumni are invited to apply to be a mentor. We welcome your expertise and invite you to review the FAQ's below.
Before completing your application, you must watch the mandatory mentor expectations video to understand the program requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in the ACES Mentoring Program?
For our pilot year, we will be prioritizing placement of students with Sophomore status, but students Sophomores and above are welcome to apply. The program accepts mentor applications from any ACES alumni from around the globe.
Why Sophomores?
To research the feasibility of starting an ACES mentorship program, we solicited feedback from alumni and current students alike. Both groups indicated that Sophomores would benefit greatly from guiding conversations as they plan their career and life paths. For our pilot year, we are prioritizing sophomores, but the program can expand in future years!
How long does the ACES Mentoring Program run for?
Each program cohort runs for the length of the academic year with the program kick-off taking place at the end of October and ending with the program wrap-up event taking place mid-April.
When is the application period?
The ACES Mentoring Program will start accepting mentor/mentee applications the week of September 9. The application deadline is September 24.
How will I get paired with my mentee or mentor?
We will pair mentees and mentors based on the answers you provide on the application form to the following categories: major/career interest, personal development goals, and general interests.
What if I am not matched with a mentor/mentee?
Since this is a pilot year, the program will be launched with a small cohort, meaning not all mentors/mentees are guaranteed a match. Regardless of the match outcome, we invite you to engage with the College of ACES in other ways, examples of which can be found at Get Involved | College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences | Illinois. We encourage students to reach out to ACES Career Services to explore alternate connection opportunities and explore the ACES student clubs & organizations list to find more ways to get involved on campus.
When will I know if I was accepted into the ACES Mentoring Program?
Applicants will receive an email the week of October 13th letting you know if you have been selected for this year‘s cohort. Mentee/Mentor pairs will be announced at this time.
Do I need to live in Illinois to be a mentor?
Short answer: no! While there are in-person activities associated with the program it is not a requirement to be in-person or to live in Illinois to be an alumni mentor.
Who can I contact with questions?
For any questions, email acesalumni@illinois.edu. The ACES Mentoring Program is supported by the College of ACES Alumni Board as well as ACES Academic Programs and Career Services.