1-on-1 Mentorship | The Dara Ashley Foundation ← Back to Website
Applications Opening Soon · Mentors: Sept 15 · Mentees: Oct 20 · Sign Up Below to Get Notified
A Program of The Dara Ashley Foundation

1-on-1
Mentorship
that meets you
where you are.

The Dara Ashley Foundation pairs underrepresented college students with vetted professionals for personalized guidance on academics, careers, and life. Through consistent coaching, skill-building, and network expansion, mentees emerge with clarity, confidence, and tangible next steps.

Duration 5 Months
Format Virtual + In-Person
Kickoff Week After MLK Day
Cadence Bi-Weekly 1:1s
Get Notified When Open → See the Timeline

Applications open Sept 15 (Mentors) and Oct 20 (Mentees).

A mentor in a tan blazer in conversation with a young mentee in a yellow beanie, working together at a desk with computers and notes.
5
Months of Coaching
1:1
Personalized Pairing
500+
Students Served Nationally
42
States Reached
Program Highlights

What's in it for mentees.

Five months of personalized coaching, real relationships with industry professionals, and a curated set of tools that compound long after the program ends.

Duration

5 Months, January Through May

A full semester arc with virtual and in-person options available so mentorship fits your life.

Cohort

Limited Pairings for Quality

We cap cohort size so every mentor-mentee match gets the attention and support it deserves.

Format

Bi-Weekly 1:1 Meetings

Twice-monthly coaching sessions plus monthly community skill-building workshops.

Support

Dedicated Program Manager

Regular check-ins, a curated resource library, and a Foundation team in your corner the whole way.

Outcomes

Career Roadmap & Network

Walk away with a polished resume, optimized LinkedIn, clear next steps, and relationships that open doors.

Launch

Pre-Matched Before January

Mentors and mentees are identified and paired before January 1 to enable a smooth, immediate start.

Pairing & Matching

How we match mentors and mentees.

Every pair is intentional. We don't shuffle names into a spreadsheet and call it a match. Here's what we consider.

  1. Career Interests & Major

    STEM, business, public service, health, the arts. We start with what you want to do and reverse-engineer who can help you get there.

  2. Availability & Time Zone

    Bi-weekly 1:1s only work when both people can show up. Schedules and time zones are factored in from day one.

  3. Industry & Identity Preferences

    When requested, we match for shared identity, lived experience, or specific industry exposure. Your needs drive the pairing.

  4. Growth Goals

    What you state in your application becomes the foundation of the match. The clearer your goals, the sharper the match.

Exclusive Benefits

What mentees walk away with.

Mentorship isn't just conversation. It's access. Every mentee in the program gets resources designed to accelerate their career trajectory.

Priority Internship Access

First look at internships, externships, and partner opportunities sourced through Foundation networks.

Resume & LinkedIn Optimization

Personalized review and refinement so your profile actually reflects the leader you're becoming.

Mock Interviews

Practice with industry volunteers who give you the kind of feedback that makes you sharper, not nervous.

Letters of Recommendation

When appropriate, mentors and program leads provide letters that carry real weight in admissions and hiring.

Key Dates

The annual mentorship calendar.

Our mentorship year runs on a predictable rhythm. Applications open in fall, matches finalize before the holidays, and the program officially kicks off the week after MLK Day.

Sept 15

Mentor Applications Open

Professionals begin applying to mentor a student for the upcoming year.

Oct 20

Mentee Applications Open

Underrepresented college students apply for personalized 1-on-1 pairing.

By Dec 15

Match Notifications Sent

Every mentee and mentor receives their match before the winter break.

Week of MLK Day

Program Officially Kicks Off

5 months of bi-weekly 1:1 meetings and monthly community skill sessions begin.

May

Program Wrap & Reflection

Final 1:1s, mentee reflections, and graduation into the alumni network.

Stay In The Loop

Applications are closed.
Be first when they open.

Mentor applications open September 15. Mentee applications open October 20. Sign up below and we'll send you a reminder the moment the form goes live.

For College Students

Mentee Notify Me

Underrepresented college students seeking personalized coaching, career clarity, and a real network to back them up. Applications open Oct 20.

Notify Me When Open →

No spam. One reminder email when the form goes live.

For Professionals

Mentor Notify Me

Vetted professionals ready to invest 5 months of coaching, advocacy, and door-opening in a college student's life. Applications open Sept 15.

Notify Me When Open →

No spam. One reminder email when the form goes live.

Frequently Asked

Questions, answered.

How much time does the program require each month?
Expect 2 bi-weekly 1:1 meetings with your mentor (about 1 hour each) plus 1 monthly community skill-building session. That's roughly 3 to 4 hours of structured programming per month, with optional opportunities throughout.
Who is eligible to apply as a mentee?
Currently enrolled undergraduate students from communities historically underrepresented in their chosen field. We look for clarity of goals, willingness to engage, and a real commitment to the 5-month arc.
Who is eligible to apply as a mentor?
Professionals with at least 3 years of industry experience who are willing to commit to bi-weekly 1:1s and monthly community sessions for the full 5-month duration. We vet every mentor before matching.
Is the program free for mentees?
Yes. The 1-on-1 Mentorship program is fully funded by The Dara Ashley Foundation and our partners. There is no cost to participate as a mentee.
Can the program be fully virtual?
Yes. Most pairings run virtually, with optional in-person meetups when geography and schedules allow. Time zone and location are factored into every match.
What if my mentor and I aren't a great fit?
Reach out to the program manager. We take mismatches seriously and will re-match where needed. Your growth is the goal, not protecting a pairing that isn't working.
What happens after the 5 months end?
Many pairs choose to stay connected informally beyond the program. All mentees join the Dara Ashley Foundation alumni network and remain eligible for future programs, scholarships, and Foundation opportunities.
1-on-1 Mentorship is a program of The Dara Ashley Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Questions? Info@daraashleyfoundation.org