Faculty/Staff Mentoring

Are You Ready?READY Mentoring matches first-time freshmen with a UofL faculty or staff member for one-on-one mentoring. What you and your mentor discuss will be largely determined by you and your experience transitioning to UofL, but no matter what the topic you can count on your READY Mentor to help connect you to people and resources that will enhance your success inside and outside of class.

Who is eligible to take part in READY Mentoring?

Program participants must be first-time freshman starting at UofL who are either first-generation college students or who receive the Cardinal Commitment grant.

How does the program work?

You and your READY Mentor will meet for 30 minutes every other week, starting in mid-September through November and continuing again January through April. Once you've been accepted into the program (late August), we'll match you with a mentor who shares at least a few of your academic and/or personal interests. Mentoring pairs compare schedules and find a day/time every other week to have virtual or in-person meetings.

What are the benefits of being part of the READY Mentoring Program?

Participants who attend all 6 of their fall mentoring sessions will receive a $400 completion grant which will be applied to your UofL bill for the following spring. Mentoring continues in the spring semester with the same mentor. If you complete all 6 of your spring appointments you'll earn another $400 completion grant which will be applied to your UofL bill for the following summer or fall.

This financial benefit isn't the only way you'll gain from participation. Aside from building your personal and professional networks and getting great tips and Play Videoadvice, consider these important ways that the past participants outperformed their non-participating classmates:

  • More likely to remain enrolled at UofL and graduate
  • Achieve a higher grade point average
  • Earn more credit hours toward degree completion

These are all important markers of student success, which engaged program participation can help you achieve.

Still unsure? Click on the videoto hear more about the program from students and mentors.

How do I sign up?

Applications for 2025-26 will open in late May 2025.

Before applying to be part of the program, make sure you're committed to attending your every-other-week sessions each semester. This program has limited space for participation, so it's important that those who apply and are selected are ready to make the most out of the experience.

The priority deadline to apply for 2024-25 is Friday, August 9, 2024. The application will close on Friday, August 23. All applicants will be notified of your status by Friday, August 30.  If your application is accepted and you're chosen to participate, you'll then be required to fill out an onboarding information form to complete your enrollment in READY Mentoring.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the program, contact .