Ignite Your Potential

The College Advancement Program (CAP), empowered by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee (BBBSMT), is dedicated to helping first- and second-year college students succeed in their academic journey.

While the transition from high school to college is exciting, we also know that it can be challenging as you try to figure out your new world as a college student and adult. That’s why we are here! Our CAP mentors are here to help you navigate it all while supporting your personal and professional development.

Currently, one-on-one and group mentoring through CAP is available for incoming first- and second-year college students at Tennessee State University.

We plan to begin one-on-one mentoring at Nashville State Community College in the spring semester of 2025.

CAP mentors have a special opportunity to support college students early on, supplying them with the tools and guidance they need to ignite their potential. You’ll serve as a sounding board, adviser and friend for CAP mentees, harnessing their potential to complete their college and career dreams.

You will be paired with a mentee based on their field of study, interests, shared life experience and career goals.

Mentors and mentees will connect with each other weekly through a secure app and will have in-person meetings twice per semester. Your mentoring relationship will be professionally supported by BBBSMT staff, who will provide you with a simple curriculum, ongoing support and training for your success as a mentor.

• You’ve been a resident of our Middle Tennessee service area (Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, Wilson County) for at least three months.
• You do not anticipate moving out of the Middle Tennessee service area for the next two years.
• You have a college degree.
• You have demonstrated success in your field of work.
• You can commit to being matched with a mentee for two years.
• You can commit to all requirements of the program.
• You are willing to submit to a background check and a multifaceted reference check.
• You have reliable transportation.

Interested in becoming a mentor and igniting potential? Great! We’re actively recruiting qualified mentors for the 2024-25 school year.

BECOME A CAP MENTOR

Students benefit the most from mentorship when they can build a relationship with their mentor over time. If you are unable to commit to two years as a mentor, don’t worry – you can still support CAP by spreading the word to potential mentors and mentees at participating schools or donating to BBBSMT.

We believe mentorship is valuable at any age. The goal of CAP is to provide a strong foundation for students at the start of their college career. During this time, students are determining their career path, building friendships, and adjusting to college life and young adulthood. While CAP one-on-one mentoring formally covers only the first two years of school, we strongly encourage the mentorship relationships to continue long past the program’s formal structure. EmpowerU micro-mentoring sessions are available to all students, regardless of classification year in school.

Transitioning from high school to college can be both exciting and challenging. Our CAP mentors are here to support your personal and professional development.

As a CAP mentee, you will receive personalized one-on-one mentoring from professionals in the Middle Tennessee community at least once a week through a secure app, attend at least two in-person match meetings each semester with BBBSMT staff, and participate in group mentoring events focused on career and financial success. You’ll be matched with your mentor based on their responses to an extensive list of questions, ensuring that you and your mentor are the best fit possible.

EmpowerU, part of CAP, provides micro-mentoring sessions open to all students at participating CAP schools, regardless of their classification. Twice per semester, students gather for a shared meal, enjoy a presentation with advice on how to be successful academically, financially and in their career, and engage in small group mentoring led by members of the Middle Tennessee community. Students do not need to be a CAP one-on-one mentee to attend EmpowerU sessions.

A typical EmpowerU session includes:

• Food and Fellowship: Students connect with one another over a meal.
• Support Workshop: A 30-minute session covering a topic related to academic, financial or career success.
• Small Group Mentoring: Sessions with a group of six to eight students, led by successful members of the Middle Tennessee community.

We’re always happy to chat! If you still have questions, please email Jessica Corser, program director, at CAPinfo@mentorakid.org