HERO Mentoring is a no cost, four-month, 1-to-1 online mentoring program that pairs high school students with volunteer medical students trained in mentoring and STEM education. Students engage with their mentors in ten learning modules: one focused on health career exploration, one focused on goal setting, and eight modules focused on human biology, health science, and medicine. These sessions are scheduled by the participant and their mentor once per week from October to January.
The goal of the program is to support science achievement and postsecondary pathway planning for Vermont teens.
This year, the program has expanded to all 9th through 12th graders residing in Caledonia, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orleans, Orange, Washington, and Chittenden Counties.
The HERO Mentoring application is now open; deadline to apply is September 21, 2023.
Space is limited in the HERO Mentoring Program. Selection will be based on participants’ demonstrated interest in health and medicine and ability to commit to the full duration of the program. You can find the application here: HERO Mentoring Program Application (jotform.com). There are no academic prerequisites, and no prior knowledge or experience is required.
If your school or organization is interested in partnering with Northern Vermont AHEC to bring this program to students in your region, we can:
- Send digital and print materials to you for distribution;
- Plan a visit to talk to students about the HERO Mentoring Program
Northern Vermont AHEC is hosting a 30 minute HERO Mentoring Program Q&A over Zoom on Monday, September 11 at 3:30 if you would like to learn more. You can join the meeting here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81133643809?pwd=RStOcHNtUXgzLythbVdYYnZ5bGdpQT09
Reach out with any questions to Lanie Billings, Health Careers Program Director, email: lbillings@nvtahec.org