Mission and Purpose

The Navigators Scholarship Mentor Program provides experiences and resources to navigate college, cultivate community, and create social change leaders. Students will attend weekly scholarship group meetings, build on existing skills and passions, receive support and resources, and connect with a community. This program is sponsored by CSUN Student Government to fund the annual participant scholarships.

Students are able to develop their leadership skills, build their knowledge of community engagement theories and models, and earn a $1000 scholarship ($500 per semester pending the successful completion of all requirements). All mentees will also build and lead an educational service project or leadership development session at the Serve and Lead MiniCon in spring semester.

Qualifications

  • 1st & 2nd year, or transfer students enrolled in at least 6 credits
  • 2.5 GPA
  • Interest in social change and leadership
  • Attend required weekly scholarship group meetings (Tuesdays from 4 to 5:15 pm)
  • Interest in planning and leading a 60-90 minute educational service project or leadership development session as part of the Serve and Lead MiniCon in February of spring semester.

2026-27 Mentee Application

Priority application deadline is August 1, 2026. All applications due by August 23, 2026.

  • 3rd or 4th year students (60+ college credits or graduate students with leadership experience) enrolled in at least 6 credits
  • 2.5 GPA
  • Social change interest and/or leadership experience
  • Attend required events: weekly scholarship group meetings (Tuesdays from 4 to 5:15 pm), weekly 1:1s with Navigators program manager
  • Ability to: manage workflow; develop relationships with mentees; assist with facilitating curriculum modules; keep detailed notes in provided documents; communicate regularly with Navigators program staff & mentees

In 2026-27, there will be two tracks (there will be mentors and mentees for both tracks):

  • Leadership - attend a few leadership development events; focus on deeper engagement with the theories/frameworks introduced by Navigators; present a leadership development session at the Serve & Lead MiniCon in February
  • Service - attend a few service events; connect learning from events to the theories/frameworks introduced by Navigators; plan and lead an educational service session at the Serve and Lead MiniCon in February

2026-27 Mentor Application

Priority application deadline is August 1, 2026. All applications due by August 23, 2026.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Is a current student with less than 60 college credit with social justice interest/experience
  • Attends weekly scholarship group meetings with mentors and program manager
  • Utilizes resources and attend events
  • Works to create a thoughtful educational session to host at the Serve & Lead MiniCon

  • Holds 60+ college credits or graduate students with leadership experience
  • Contributes 2-3 hours weekly
  • Maintains regular contact with mentees and program manager via 1:1s and email
  • Has previous mentoring experience or mentor program participation, event planning, leadership development, or social change experience

  • Provides mentor training and professional development via weekly
  • 1:1 mentor supervision
  • Guides and facilitates the Navigators program curriculum to support mentees in the creation of their Serve & Lead MiniCon sessions
  • Shares resources and communication between Service Learning and Leadership and Navigators
  • Recruits Navigators, tracks progress, submits roster for disbursement and tracks accountability for CSUN sponsorship
  • Ensures accountability of all members of the program

Application Process

The application process for both mentees and mentors is as follows:

  1. Interested students complete the appropriate online application below by the priority deadline of August 1 for best consideration, or by August 23 at latest:
    1. Mentee application
    2. Mentor application
  2. At the end of the application, students are prompted to select a 30-minute virtual interview.
  3. Students complete their 30-minute interview with the Program Manager.
  4. Application decisions will be shared via email no later than September 4.
  5. Weekly meetings for all accepted Navigator mentees and mentors will begin on September 8. These mandatory meetings are scheduled for Tuesdays from 4 to 5:15 pm.

More Information Contact

Leanne Soter
Navigators Program Manager
Sr. Program Coordinator for Service Learning & Leadership
leanne.soter@unlv.edu

Stine Odegard
Sr. Associate Director for Service Learning & Leadership
stine.odegard@unlv.edu