From the Nominator

"The landscape of corporate responsibility and giving priorities has changed. No longer are businesses interested in passively lending their logos and marketing dollars in support of non-profits aligned with their giving philosophies. The Harper College Educational Foundation heard these desires from partners and rose to the challenge of providing meaningful value-add opportunities for corporate engagement while providing businesses what they most need in 2022: a well-prepared workforce.  

The foundation generated a short-term corporate mentorship program in which donor-funded scholarship recipients were paired with mentors from the business sectors to which they aspire. Students completed a brief self-evaluation in which they assessed themselves according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Eight Career Readiness Competencies. Foundation staff shared students’ top three competencies and three areas for growth with mentors. Mentors received resources and teaching activities centered on each of the eight competencies as starting points for their discussions with students.  

Following the minimum of three 30-minute virtual meetings held at the pairs’ convenience, students took a post-test in which they again assessed their career readiness competencies. Students assessed themselves as more proficient in all eight categories at the end of the program (2.4% to 9.9% score improvement). Corporate partners and students reported a high likelihood of staying in contact after the program (68.9%) and a strong desire to participate again (75.9%), two students participants received job offers in their desired fields through their mentors, and 40% of mentor organizations increased their philanthropic giving following their participation."

From the Judges

This initiative at Harper College was both intentional and strategic in their employment of volunteers. They had a constituency of volunteers, their corporate partners, and used them in such a brilliant way to have an impact on individual students and the college community as a whole. It was meaningful volunteer engagement that enhanced a pre-existing program.