Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from the best! Students are expected to invest roughly 50 hours (10 hours a month) in the program. In return you will receive guidance and mentorship from York alumni who are esteemed in their fields.
Program Benefits
Mentorship from Senior Leaders
Personal & Professional Development Opportunities
$1,000 Stipend
Upon successful completion of all program requirements
Eligibility Requirements
Stream: Advancing Black Students
The Advancing Black Students program celebrates the many successful York University Black alumni and provides them opportunities to meet and invest in the next generation of Black professionals and scholars.
To be a mentee, you must be:
- A student in the department of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
- In your 3rd or 4th year of study (54+ credits completed)
- Must identify as Black
Stream: Advancing Women Students
The Advancing Women program matches successful York University women alumnae with women students as they prepare to enter the workforce.
To participate, you must be:
- A student in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
- In your 3rd or 4th year of study (54+ credits completed)
- Must identify as a woman
Eligible students may apply to either stream.
Application Process
Apply
With limited spots available, each stream will have 22 alumni mentors and 55 student participants. To be considered for Advancing YU, fill out an application.
Applications close on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Committee Selection
The Program's Committee will review applications for both streams. Students who are selected will be organized into “quartets” that will consist of one mentor and three students.
We will notify the selected students by September.
Program Launch
The Advancing YU Launch, for both streams, will occur on September 25, 2025. The time and location of the launch will be emailed to students.
Students will be able to meet their mentors, assigned quartets and Advancing YU team at this event.
The event's details will be shared with the students once they confirm/accept their participation in the program.
Monthly Commitment
Each month, participating students will be required to invest a few hours (around 10 hours max) in each of the following activities:
Attending Mentorship Meetings
You will spend one hour of 1-on-1 time with your mentor each month. In these meetings, you are encouraged to ask for guidance on professional and sometimes personal experiences
Workshops
Each month, Advancing YU hosts a 2-hour professional development events that mentees must attend. These workshops help you to build leadership skills and network with other mentors and mentees. Dinner will be served!
Journal Reflection
Throughout the program, you will be asked to complete a brief journal submission to reflect on what you have learned and how you will apply this to your current and future goals. Journals will be read by Advancing YU staff and your mentor.
Meeting with the Career Centre
AYU students are required in the beginning of the term to complete one of two workshops offered by the Career Centre.
Program Outline: Month-by-Month
Frequently Asked Questions
