How did you become involved with mentoring through Hillsborough Education Foundation? 

The company I work for, McKinstry, partners with K-12 school districts across Florida and the rest of the U.S. to improve energy performance, provide sustainable solutions, and educate faculty, staff and students about energy conservation and sustainable initiatives. A big part of McKinstry’s culture is Building Good, a core company value focused on giving back to the community. As such, a number of my team members and I got involved with the Take Stock in Children program in Florida to help mentor and guide students within our communities.

What has been the most rewarding part of mentoring? 

The most rewarding part of mentoring for me is making a positive impact in my mentee’s life. It is an absolute pleasure to grow a trusted relationship with my mentee and provide advice and support to him as he navigates the ups and downs of life.  

What do you believe is the key to being a quality mentor? 

I think there are a number of important qualities that lend to a wholesome, quality mentor/mentee relationship. At the top of the list, I think building trust through meaningful conversations as well as leading by example are paramount. Engaging with your mentee frequently, discussing and supporting their interests and hobbies, and listening to them helps build and solidify that trust over time. I also find that it is important to balance discussions and topics and not forget to have fun.    

When you are not spending time with your mentee, what else do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time I enjoy mountain biking, hiking and backpacking, playing disc golf, and taking our two dogs on adventures with my wife, Laurel.  

What do you hope your mentee will learn from you?

I hope my mentee (Isaiah) will learn a lot about himself, life, and the kind of person he wants to be as he goes through life. I hope to instill curiosity, a strong work ethic, empathy and compassion for others, optimism, and the belief that good things happen to those who are honest and work hard. I also encourage him to always keep a good sense of humor and to never stop smiling.

Florida College Application Month is part of the American College Application Campaign (ACAC), a national initiative aimed at increasing the number of students pursing a postsecondary degree or other high-quality credential.

If your mentee is a Senior this year, encourage them to apply to college this month! Students applying to several 4-year universities, should consider using Common App to apply.

Common App is a single online college application form used by more than 1,000 colleges and universities. Instead of filling out the same general information—like address, GPA, and extracurriculars—a dozen times, students only have to do it once.

If your mentee is in 8th-11th grade this year, take some time to explore colleges and review some of the admission and application requirements for the schools they show interest in. Some useful resources for exploring colleges are: Big Future, Niche, and Florida Shines.

The New 2023–2024 FAFSA Form is Here! 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is a form completed by current and prospective college students in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid such as federal grants, work-study, and loans.

In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid.

If your mentee is a Senior, please encourage them to apply to the FAFSA this month!

For help filling out the FAFSA, students should contact their College Success Coach. 

Incoming Class of TSIC Students

Our team has been busy matching students with mentors, including 52 new students who have joined our program so far this school year! 

There are still about 30 deserving mentees in need of a caring role model to help guide them down the path to success in school and in life.

Mark Your Calendar