What College Mentorship Looks Like at
The LaRoche Foundation

Purpose of College Mentorship

College mentorship provides students with consistent guidance, advocacy, and accountability during critical moments of their college journey—helping them stay enrolled, progress academically, and graduate.

Mentorship focuses on navigation, not tutoring or therapy.

Who the Mentors Are

Mentors may include:

College graduates
Graduate students
Professionals in education, business, healthcare, or nonprofit fields
Alumni of partner institutions

Who the Mentees Are

Students who benefit most:

First-generation college students
Students with financial need
Students navigating life disruptions (parenthood, work, housing instability)
Transfer and community college students
Mentorship is voluntary but structured.

How Mentorship Works (Core Model)

1. Thoughtful Matching

Students are paired with mentors based on:

Academic pathway
Career interests
Shared lived experience (when possible)
Availability and communication style

2. Structured Touchpoints

Mentors and students connect:

1–2 times per month
Via phone, video, or in person
For 30–45 minutes
This keeps the program sustainable and scalable.

3. Mentorship Focus Areas

Mentors help students with:

College Navigation
Understanding academic policies
Communicating with professors
Managing course loads
Life Skills & Accountability
Time management
Balancing school, work, and family
Stress management and goal setting
Financial Awareness
Budgeting and financial aid questions
Scholarship awareness
Connecting students to campus resources
Career Readiness (as appropriate)
Internships and experiential learning
Resume and professional communication
Long-term planning beyond graduation

4. Clear Boundaries

Mentors are not:

Academic tutors
Therapists or counselors
Financial advisors
When deeper support is needed, mentors help students navigate to campus or community resources.

Program Support & Oversight

The LaRoche Foundation provides:

Mentor onboarding and training
Discussion guides and check-in prompts
Light tracking of engagement and outcomes
Staff support for mentors and students
This ensures consistency and quality.

What Success Looks Like

Success is measured by:

Increased student persistence (semester-to-semester enrollment)
Improved confidence and self-advocacy
Reduced isolation
Stronger connection to campus resources
Progress toward graduation

Why Colleges Partner With Us

Colleges value mentorship because it:

Supports student retention
Improves student engagement
Complements existing support services
Requires minimal institutional resources
Mentorship enhances—not replaces—campus programs.

Become A College Mentor

LaRoche Foundation

630 Freedom Business Center 3rd Fl

King of Prussia , PA 19406

610-203-4480

info@larochefoundation.org

Programs

Scholarships
College Readiness
Internship Opportunities
Mentorship
Community Partnerships

Get Involved

Donate
LaRoche Scholars
LaRoche Scholars Cohort
Partner with us
Volunteer
Corporate Giving
Become a Sponsor

he LaRoche Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing educational equity through scholarships, mentorship, and readiness programs for students from underserved communities.

EIN: 39-5097881

Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Legal Notice