The Clark State Community College Foundation Scholars program expanded from Springfield City Schools into Champaign County last year with the addition of Graham and Urbana Middle Schools. This year, the program has expanded even further and inducted its first class of Clark County Scholars from the Clark-Shawnee District and Tecumseh Local Schools. A total of 80 students make up the most recent Scholars class.

Kanesha Scott, director of the Clark State Foundation Scholars program, said the program is now seeking mentors. “We are seeking people who have attended college or successfully navigated a career and entered the workforce,” she said. Mentors must pass background check and be at least 25 years old.

“Mentors will have options and can choose what district they want to mentor in,” said Scott. “Currently our highest need is in Champaign County because the first class of Scholars has entered high school.”

Scott said the program is working to offer students better tools to help them be more successful in college, including more hands-on learning and navigating the FASFA.

The level of involvement of each mentor will vary according to his/her availability. However, the goal is to spend at least 30 minutes with the scholars every month. The goal is to make enough visits during the year to establish a relationship with the students.

Required mentor activities include:

The Clark State Foundation Scholars program offers three years of college at Clark State at no cost to the students upon graduation.

To qualify, student must: be in 8th grade; have maintained a 2.0 GPA through their 7th grade year or the first quarter of their 8th grade year; family meets the income eligibility for the Free and Reduced Lunch program; and neither parent has a bachelor’s degree at the time of the application.

If interested in becoming a Clark State Scholars program mentor, please contact the Clark State Foundation at 937-328-6009.