What is the Dana How Scholars Program?

The Christian Association, in partnership with the Dana How Social Services Fund and Upward Bound, is proud to offer this exciting opportunity for Penn and Upward Bound students.  Through this program, Upward Bound students will develop meaningful relationships with undergraduate students, strengthen their interpersonal skills, and explore college & career options.  Penn students will have the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, learn more about the Philadelphia community, and gain a better understanding of positive youth development.  

Selection & Matching Criteria

      - Select Penn students will be paired with Upward Bound rising sophomores.

      - Mentor pairs will be determined based on common interests and personalities.

      - Preference will be given to first & second year Penn students in good academic standing.

Expectations

      - Mentors & mentees will be required to communicate with each other at least once per week (via phone, text, facebook, email, etc.).  It is the responsibility of both students to make sure this contact is maintained.

      - Mentors & mentees will be required to have at least one face-to-face meeting 3 times a month. (The option is available to attend Upward Bound’s fourth Saturday activities.)

      - Attendance is also required at the pre-pairing training, pairing party, and fall & spring retreats.

      - Mentors may also be invited to join mentees at local service projects & cultural/college trips.

      - Mentors are expected to commit to at least one academic year with the program.

Activity Description

The program runs from September through April and is designed to allow meaningful relationships to form between the 10th grade mentees and the Penn college mentors. The sessions will meet either on Saturday afternoons or early evening during the week, depending on schedules. Activities are designed to be fun, interesting, and engaging. Building meaningful and supportive relationships are an essential part of the program. There will also be opportunities for visits to different settings both as a group and one-on-one. Activities with last year’s group of mentors and mentees, for example, included visiting museums, seeing world-famous fashion displays, eating Chipotle with pre-law advisors, carving pumpkins, learning how to cook different meals and exploring different potential career paths.  A weekend retreat is planned for the fall and spring.

 

Important Dates

      - September 19th: Mentor applications due by 6pm
      - Week of September 19th:  Interviews at the Christian Association
      - October 1st: Pre-Pairing Training for the Mentors
      - October 8th: Pairing Party/Orientation
      - Fall retreat:  November 12th  & 13th
      - Spring retreat:  March 31st & April 1st
      - Saturday Sessions:  10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 11/5, 11/19, 12/3, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28

Get Involved

Looking to be a part of this program? Contact Miles R. Goodloe in the Christian Association (gomiles@gse.upenn.edu).