Deadline to Join UT Promise Mentors is August 15

Through the expansion of University of Tennessee’s UT Promise scholarship program, two-thirds of students in the state of Tennessee are eligible for free tuition and mandatory fees at the UT campus of their choice: Knoxville, Martin, Chattanooga, Southern (Pulaski) or Health Science Center (Memphis).

As part of the scholarship, students are matched with a mentor who provides crucial support and guidance, helping them thrive within the University of Tennessee System, but there is a vital need for volunteer mentors.

To support the growing number of students, students need more mentors than ever. The time commitment is minimal — just two to three hours per semester — but the impact is immeasurable.

UT Promise mentors come from all backgrounds. Anyone who meets the requirements can make a difference. Volunteers should sign up by Aug. 15 to help shape the lives of Tennessee students.

Information about UT Promise Mentors can be found by visiting tennessee.edu/ut-promise, clicking on “UT Promise Mentors” and clicking on “Become a Mentor” on the drop-down menu.

“I've been with UT Promise for four years, since the program began in 2020,” said Ben Guyer, a member of the Royal Historical Society. “Mentorship has allowed me to get to know my mentees in a much more meaningful way than is generally facilitated through either advising or teaching.

“And, they have gotten to know me, too. For example, this last academic year, my mentee consistently asked me how my daughter was doing. I think I'm right in saying that a mentor is not an ‘authority figure’ like a teacher. Wearing the mentor hat has been a welcome development.”

Others who are new to the program have also said they enjoyed being a part of it.

“I volunteered for the first time last year,” said Kristina Pitz, health sciences pre-professional coordinator at UT Martin. “I had two students that I mentored. One was a pre-med/biology student and the other was a nursing student. I met with each of my students three times during the semester. My pre-med/biology student was very sweet, but super-quiet.

“My nursing student and I, however, absolutely hit it off. She would come to my office for snacks and told me that she liked talking to me because she felt like she could tell me things without being judged. I helped her find information about service opportunities and reminded her about activities around campus.”

Applications to become a UT Promise Mentor will be taken through Thursday, Aug. 15.

More information about becoming a UT Promise Mentor, contact UT Promise at utpromise@tennessee.edu.