Aspire Mentoring

Aspire Mentoring Program
Become an Aspire Mentor
Mentee Resources
Support Our Work

Welcome to Aspire Mentoring

We believe every student has the right to pursue a postsecondary pathway that aligns with their personal and professional passions, empowering them to achieve their career and life goals.

What we do

Aspire connects high schools students with undergraduate mentors who share similar educational and career interests. Using a near-peer mentorship model, high school mentees gain valuable insights and inspiration to navigate their postsecondary and career paths. EWU undergraduate mentors offer personal experiences, guidance, support, and encouragement to help their mentees succeed.

Mentorship Matters

Key Benefits of Aspire

Near-Peer Career Guidance

High school students receive mentorship from undergraduate mentors with shared academic and career interests, gaining valuable insights and tailored advice to support their goals.

Improved Postsecondary Navigation

The near-peer model helps students better understand and navigate their postsecondary options, equipping them with practical knowledge to make informed decisions about their education and career paths.

Increased Motivation and Confidence

Mentors inspire and empower mentees through personal experiences, encouragement, and guidance, boosting their confidence and motivation to pursue their ambitions.

Become an Aspire Mentor

Under the guidance of Aspire staff, mentors may be responsible for:

  • Completing EWU Youth Programs Trainings related to working with minors.
  • Attending orientation and training sessions before on-site mentorship begins.
  • Preparing for and facilitating weekly mentorship sessions with high school students.
  • Serving as a positive and professional representative of Aspire and EWU when engaging with students, mentees, and school partners.
  • Acting as a liaison between local high schools and Aspire during mentorship events.
  • Adhering to school site policies while serving as a mentor.
  • Maintaining confidentiality and demonstrating professionalism at all times.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Current EWU student in good standing.
  • Ability to pass an EWU and/or Spokane Public Schools background check.
  • Reliable transportation to and from mentorship sites.
  • Demonstrated reliability, patience, organization, independence, and the ability to follow direction while taking initiative.

Applications are open throughout the academic year. Check Handshake for current available opportunities.

This Student Affairs position reports directly to Jasmin Davis and offers EWU students hands-on experience in education and community-based learning.

Through near-peer mentoring, Aspire mentors will engage with small groups of mentees for four hours each month throughout the academic year, providing personalized guidance, support, and resources to help them navigate their postsecondary and career pathways

Responsibilities include facilitating discussions on postsecondary planning, career exploration, and essential life skills, ensuring mentees gain valuable insights into their future opportunities. Mentors participate in professional development sessions to refine their leadership, communication, and mentoring skills, equipping them to provide effective guidance and foster a strong college-going culture in their mentee groups.

Resources for Mentees

Aspire Mentoring provides tools and guidance to help you plan your postsecondary path—whether college, trade school, or the workforce.

  • Explore Your Options – Use the Career Interest Worksheet to discover career paths and compare military, trades, apprenticeships, and college opportunities.
  • Plan for College – Access FAFSA & WASFA checklists, explore regional colleges, and compare two-year vs. four-year costs.
  • Strengthen Your Application – Get tips on writing a personal statement and building a strong college application.

Aspire Resource Dropbox

In collaboration with LaunchNW, many Aspire mentees are also eligible for the Promise scholarship. Learn more about this scholarship here.

Collaborate with Aspire

In January of 2023, LaunchNW was awarded a Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) Regional Challenge Grant.

The Aspire program, through Eastern Washington University, is empowering undergraduate students and partnering with regional high school juniors and seniors. To learn more about this grant, visit the LaunchNW press release and the WSAC Regional Challenge Announcement.

In collaboration with LaunchNW, many Aspire mentees are also eligible for the Promise scholarship. Learn more about this scholarship here.

In November of 2023, Aspire was awarded the Limitless Grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

This grant provides EWU and Aspire program with funding of $100,000 over the next four years, allowing mentors to continue supporting high school students. Read more about this wonderful grant here and here.

Communities in Schools

Coordinators play a vital role in identifying and recruiting high school mentees to participate in the Aspire program, ensuring we reach students who will benefit most from mentorship. They also provide valuable insight into the specific needs of their students, helping us tailor discussions on postsecondary planning, career readiness, and life skills to be as relevant and impactful as possible.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Coordinators play a vital role in identifying and recruiting high school mentees to participate in the Aspire program, ensuring we reach students who will benefit most from mentorship. They also provide valuable insight into the specific needs of their students, helping us tailor discussions on postsecondary planning, career readiness, and life skills to be as relevant and impactful as possible.

College Success Foundation

Coordinators play a vital role in identifying and recruiting high school mentees to participate in the Aspire program, ensuring we reach students who will benefit most from mentorship. They also provide valuable insight into the specific needs of their students, helping us tailor discussions on postsecondary planning, career readiness, and life skills to be as relevant and impactful as possible.

North East Washington Educational Service District 101

Coordinators play a vital role in identifying and recruiting high school mentees to participate in the Aspire program, ensuring we reach students who will benefit most from mentorship. They also provide valuable insight into the specific needs of their students, helping us tailor discussions on postsecondary planning, career readiness, and life skills to be as relevant and impactful as possible.

The Aspire program works on two levels. One to recruit, train, and support EWU students, and the other to be excellent near-peer mentors for Spokane-area high schoolers. Two, Aspire supports other outreach efforts that center postsecondary access and success.

To collaborate with Aspire and join our community of practice, please reach out to Jasmin Davis at jdavis163@ewu.edu.

We currently work with a number of community and high school partners.

High School Partners

Aspire is proud to announce that we are partnered with eight regional high schools during the 2024-2025 school year. We are proud to be an integrated part of their overall postsecondary access culture and services to students.

Ferris High School

Ferris High School

Spokane, WA

Liberty High School

Liberty High School

Spangle, WA

University High School

University High School

Spokane Valley, WA

Rogers High School

Rogers High School

Spokane, WA

Central Valley High School

Central Valley High School

Spokane Valley, WA

Shadle Park High School

Shadle Park High School

Spokane, WA

Medical Lake High School

Medical Lake High School

Medical Lake, WA

Cheney High School

Cheney High School

Support Our Work

The Aspire program connects EWU mentors with regional high school students, helping them navigate postsecondary pathways. This work is made possible through funding from private donors, corporations, and family foundations.

Make a Difference Today
Your support has a dual impact:

  • Empower EWU Students – Your donation provides stipends to Aspire mentors, offering them valuable work experience while they support high school students.
  • Increase Postsecondary Success – Your contribution helps students in our partner schools access guidance and resources to achieve their education and career goals.

Join us in transforming lives. Make a gift today through the EWU Foundation and help us create lasting change.

More About Us!

Aspire
Aspire Funding - Innovia Foundation & the LaunchNW Initiative
Giving Stories
Eastern Launches New Student Mentoring Program
Giving Stories
Grant to Assist EWU Aspire Program
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Learn About the Aspire Mentoring Program

EWU Aspire Mentorship

aspire@ewu.edu
509.359.7919

301 Pence Union Building
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA 99004