Fellows program aims to boost mentorship experiences for minority students

A group of Youngstown State University freshmen students will mentor with campus leaders under the new Navarro Executive Fellows program that starts this Fall semester.

The mentoring-work experience program is coordinated by the YSU Division of Multicultural Affairs and is named after Shorty and Elba Navarro, who earlier this year donated $1 million fund scholarships and campus jobs for students.

Students eligible for the program must be incoming freshmen who are African American/Black, Latino/Latina/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander or Native American/Indian. The student also must have graduated from high school with a grade point average of 2.5.

“The growth and development of diverse students is important to YSU,” said Sylvia J. Imler, YSU chief diversity officer. “The Navarro Executive Fellows program was developed to mentor, motivate through employment, enhance academic success and personal growth, encourage campus engagement, assist with career development, integrate work experience with classroom learning, foster leadership and increase retention and diversity on campus.”

Seventeen incoming freshmen will be selected as Fellows, They will be matched with YSU’s executive leadership for two years, including the provost, all college deans, vice president of Finance and Business Operations, general counsel/vice president for Legal Affairs and Human Resources, associate vice president of Student Experience, associate vice president of Student Success, associate vice president of University Relations, associate vice president of Research, associate vice president of Enrollment, chief diversity officer and the director of the Honors College.

Fellows can be employed for up to 15 hours per week as long as they continue to meet program requirements. Executives will provide insight and networking as well as help Fellows set goals and stay on track academically, professionally and personally.

Students interested in becoming a Navarro Executive Fellow should call the Division of Multicultural Affairs at 330-941-3370.