WSOS offers many mentorship opportunities for Opportunity Scholars across both the Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS) and the Career and Technical Scholarship (CTS). One of the mentorship programs offered to Baccalaureate Scholars is the Scholar Lead Program. The Scholar Lead Program is a peer mentorship program that ensures first- and second-year Baccalaureate Scholars have the academic and social support they need to persist and succeed in college. The program focuses on building a community of care and trust between the Scholar Lead and the Scholars they have been matched with.  

Peer mentorship in the Scholar Lead Program offers a built-in community and valuable connections for new Opportunity Scholars during their transition to college. Scholar Leads, who are third- or fourth-year Opportunity Scholars in the same college or region, offer support and resources that would otherwise not be available to Scholars. 92% of Opportunity Scholars in the Scholar Lead Program agree that their Lead understands the student experience and has helped them immensely by sharing relevant and helpful information.  

Here is what Scholars had to say about their Scholar Leads

“You really helped me when other resources were not available, thanks!”

“Thank you so much for helping me answer my questions. Also, to help me feel connected through this school year.”

The Scholar Lead Program supports incoming Opportunity Scholars, but it also provides third- and fourth-year Scholar Leads with valuable leadership opportunities. Leads receive professional development support from WSOS staff to grow as leaders and mentors themselves. 

Here is a screenshot of the most recent Scholar Lead Networking Event. Leads discussed how to talk about their Scholar Lead experience in interviews, resumes, graduate school applications and more! 

Scholar Leads describe some of their highlights from the year

“My Scholars getting into their majors! They email me the good news, and it makes my day.”

“Connecting with my mentees on a personal level and working closely with them to answer WSOS related questions and sharing my university experience what it was like for me being a first-generation [Opportunity] Scholar.”

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The Scholar Lead application is now open until May 2, 2022!

Don’t miss your chance to gain essential leadership skills, connect with fellow Scholars and add to your resume (and get paid to do it!).

Learn more about the Scholar Lead Program.