University Southern California Trojans
Mentor Program
In 2003, the Athletic Department at the University of Southern California began a mentor program for their student athletes. The program will begin its 15th year during the Fall semester of 2017 and is currently housed in the Student Athlete Academic Services division of the Athletic Department.
The purpose of the USC Student Athlete Mentor Program is to give support and guidance to student athletes throughout their college experience and to help them with the transition into professional careers. Although other schools have peer and faculty mentors for their student athletes, USC developed a unique program that matches USC athletic alumni with student athletes to connect our student athletes with successful professionals of outstanding character who understand the elite student athlete experience, culture, and transformation from athlete to professional.
The typical first year college student is moving away from their family, friends, and community for the first time. They must navigate the university community and its systems on their own. Students come up against significantly more rigorous academic requirements than they experienced in high school. For upperclassmen, career concerns come into play including finding internships and jobs.
Mentors from all sports provide guidance and career connections to each mentee, who volunteer to be matched with a mentor. Since the student athletes devote so much time and energy to their academics and sport, the USC Student Athlete Mentor Program provides career development in a time sensitive manner, as well as experience in how to access the Trojan Family network.
Mentor selection is by invitation only with three levels of screening and Compliance oversight. Mentors and mentees receive intensive NCAA training for Compliance purposes prior to meeting with their mentee. All contact between the pairs is supervised and monitored. The Mentor Program features a number of events throughout the academic year, including a kick off event, an inspirational speaker, a social event, a career panel, job shadowing, and networking opportunities. The Mentor Program serves to capture the wisdom of those who have successful navigated the academic, athletic, and career aspects of USC:
A mentor is “someone whose hindsight can be your foresight.”
