Amid pullbacks in student support, iMentor grows relationships with CUNY and Big Brothers Big Sisters, among others, to bring mentorship and a sense of belonging to even more students
iMentor, a national mentoring program with 25+ years of impact advancing young people from underserved communities toward breaking education barriers with post-secondary success, is evolving; and its proven 1:1 model will reach even more students this coming school year. This is relevant as students return to school during increasingly uncertain times, especially for first-generation college students from under-resourced communities. With the rollback of federal and state funding for public education, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs nationwide, long-standing efforts to foster student belonging and opportunity are at risk.
Through new and expanded partnerships, iMentor broadens its reach in both geography and scope. In partnership with higher education partners like The City University of New York (CUNY), mentoring networks such as Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), and even its first independent school (Cathedral High School in Boston, MA), iMentor enters the new school year as a trusted partner to schools, colleges, and community organizations that guide students toward choice-filled lives.
As this work expands, iMentor is inviting new partners to join a growing movement, one that equips young people with mentors, confidence, and the power to shape their own future.
“This is a critical moment for students and for our country,” said Dr. Heather D. Wathington, CEO of iMentor. “As student support systems shrink, long-term mentorship is one of the most effective ways to ensure students still feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. These partnerships extend our reach and reinforce our belief that mentorship is more than a program—it’s a movement to create a more equitable future.”
Mentorship That Connects College Students to Careers
In fall 2024, iMentor partnered with CUNY, the nation’s largest urban public university, to pilot a career development mentorship program. The initiative based on the development of meaningful relationships between mentor and mentee is designed to strengthen student belonging and boost career readiness and placement, a growing imperative for public universities, in fields like finance, accounting, and tech.
At York, Baruch, and Lehman Colleges through CUNY’s Black Male Initiative (BMI), focus is on career mentorship and internship access bolstered by collaboration with industry focused groups such as the National Association of Black Accountants. Last year at each school, approximately 15 percent (out of 300-400, depending on campus) BMI sophomores were matched with a professional to guide career mapping through their degree, with a goal to continue to increase year over year.
At LaGuardia Community College, iMentor supports students in the Transition to Credit Pipeline program, helping those moving from workforce certifications and GEDs into tech-related degree programs. In spring 2025, the program produced two dozen mentor relationships, all providing 1:1 support for adult students in their first semester of credit-bearing courses.
Baruch is CUNY’s nationally ranked Business School. This relationship will help bridge a historically under-tapped talent pool and further help unlock students’ full potential by connecting a diverse and high-potential student body with decades-long iMentor partners such as IBM, EY, Morgan Stanley, and Citi.
“This pilot focuses on students seeking careers in accounting and finance and providing them industry professional mentors just like the exposure our students in medicine, law or education receive,” said Dr. Jonathan Quash, University Executive Director for the CUNY Black Male Initiative. “In just one semester, iMentor has proven to be a key partner in helping our students feel connected, confident, and ready for what’s next, mirroring the pool of qualified applicants for some of the City’s most competitive jobs.”
Early Mentorship & Community-Based Programming Strengthens Pathways
Research confirms that social mobility doesn’t just transform lives—it lifts entire communities. In fact, two-thirds of iMentor students from the 2023 cohort and the two cohorts before them persisted to their third semester of college at rates higher than their peers. iMentor continues to expand its model through community-based organizations, building long-term support that persists beyond high school graduation.
For the 2025-26 school year, iMentor aims to reach 9,000 students across ten states through direct service and community partnerships. One example of iMentor’s impact beyond traditional high school is its long-standing partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Lone Star, which is already active in 17 Texas cities including Houston and Dallas, with planned continued growth.
“We are a relationship organization and iMentor has proven to be a formidable partner in helping us fill persistent opportunity gaps and build social networks,” said Michael O’Teter, Chief Program Officer, BBBS Lone Star. “Blending iMentor’s platform, curriculum, training evaluation and support with our focus on relationships is a proven formula for us.”
A Call to Action: Partner with iMentor to Champion First-Generation Talent
Founded in 1999, iMentor has served over 45,000 students and now operates in three core regions—New York City, Chicago, and Baltimore—while supporting 23 partner programs nationwide. In a shifting educational landscape, iMentor invites colleges, employers, and nonprofits to join its growing coalition. Through a proprietary platform and proven mentoring model, partners gain plug-and-play tools for mentor training, engagement, reporting, and program delivery. To learn more about partnership opportunities, contact Nariman Heikal, Managing Director of Partnerships and Business Development at nheikal@imentor.org or follow iMentor on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.
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