The Mentoring Project Joins College Success Foundation to Expand Support for Washington College Students

We are pleased to announce that College Success Foundation is the new home of The Mentoring Project, a statewide, virtual program that pairs low-income and first-generation college students with a volunteer mentor who provides guidance, encouragement, and career exploration. Together, we share a commitment to helping the students we serve succeed in college and beyond.

“By The Mentoring Project joining College Success Foundation, we can help strengthen its sustainability and connect even more students to the mentoring support they need as they make their way through college and into their careers,” said Michael Cheever, College Success Foundation President & CEO. “We are honored to continue the work of The Mentoring Project and look forward to welcoming their current students and mentors into our community.”

Under the agreement, College Success Foundation will continue to steward current student and mentor relationships, with plans to grow the mentoring program in the future.

“I am excited about what comes next,” shared Julia Schechter, founder and director of The Mentoring Project. “College Success Foundation is a strong home for this work because of its deep commitment to students from low-income backgrounds and its experience supporting students through college and into their careers. By bringing our mentoring program into College Success Foundation, we have an opportunity to preserve what works, strengthen the program and ultimately reach more students.”

Together, The Mentoring Project and College Success Foundation believe students are much more likely to complete college, launch successful careers, and ultimately achieve economic mobility when they have a trusted, caring adult in their corner.

College Success Foundation will be reaching out to welcome The Mentoring Project students and their mentors as the new school year gets underway. In the meantime, if you are a current mentor or student with The Mentoring Project, please email Gabriela Ibanez at mentoring@collegesuccessfoundation.org with questions. If you have other questions, please connect with Maggie Skinner at marketing@collegesuccessfoundation.org.

The Mentoring Project was founded by Julia Schechter, Ed.D., during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to the growing challenges students faced in completing their college education. Recognizing the power of mentoring to improve academic and personal outcomes, she built a program that connects students with dedicated volunteer mentors. Since its inception in 2021, The Mentoring Project has served more than 800 students from 23 Washington college campuses and beyond. Their mentors help them navigate college, explore career pathways, and build connections that support their long-term success.

For over 25 years, College Success Foundation has helped low-income and first-generation students in Washington state prepare for and graduate from college. They provide a holistic pathway of support, starting with high school advising and continuing through college coaching. Along the way, students receive guidance with college enrollment, financial aid, career exploration, and college completion. Last year, they served 10,000 high school and college students across the state.