Get priceless coaching from expert alumni working in a diverse selection of fields.
Advancing YU is a unique program that will match select alumni who are achieving success in their chosen fields, with third- and fourth-year students that self-identify as Black and/or women for mentorship and skills development. Students will also receive a $1k financial stipend for their successful completion of the program.
On this page:
Become a Mentor
Share your expertise and experience with a LA&PS student! Find out about our opportunities to become a mentor.
Meet the Mentors
Meet our incredible roster of mentors and learn more about their passions and areas of expertise.
Stream Options
Advancing Black Students
The Advancing Black Students program is designed for Black-identifying LA&PS students in their third or fourth year of study (completed a minimum of 54 credits).
Advancing Women Students
The Advancing Women Students program is designed for students that identify as women and are in their third or fourth year of study (completed a minimum of 54 credits) at LA&PS.
How It Works
The Committee reviews applications and selects participants.
Students and mentors are connected.
Students complete monthly activities.
Mentors and mentees attend the end-of-year celebration.
Our Sponsors
Founding Sponsor
Contributing Sponsors
- BentallGreenOak
- Mitsubishi HC Capital Canada Inc.
Student Testimonials
Through insightful conversations with my mentor, engaging workshops and self-reflection, I gained greater clarity about my career goals, built valuable connections, and obtained meaningful advice on navigating the professional world as I prepare to transition into the workforce.
— Tristan Cabral, Human Resource Management
Advancing YU gave me the ability to connect with like-minded individuals and have a platform for vulnerable conversations.
— Nana Mmrah Prempeh, Political Science
As an immigrant and mature student in the Bachelor of Commerce program, I joined Advancing YU to explore my future pathways and industry insights. Now, as a Peer Mentor and PASS Leader, I’m dedicated to supporting other students in achieving academic success and fostering campus connections.
— Simrandeep Kaur, Commerce
I aspire to become a lawyer. I joined Advancing YU to learn more about my field of interest and gain insight from a York Alumni about the workforce. Through this mentorship, I learned more about myself and became much more confident in my abilities and my achievements thus far.
— Christina Bomé, Criminology
As a mature student returning to York with a passion for policy analysis, Advancing YU has made my transition back to student life seamless. The program provided valuable workshops for my well-being and academic success, and I was connected with a caring mentor who guided me in planning and achieving my goals.
— Karen Welcome, Interdisciplinary Social Science
The Advancing YU program has been such an incredible experience for me. The mentorship aspect has been amazing, and I’ve received so much valuable advice from my mentor, who has been super supportive in helping me figure out my career path and work toward my goals.
— Yetunde “Abeni” Ojebola-Afeyodion, Global Political Studies
Questions?
If you are interested in learning more about Advancing YU sponsorships, please contact Alison Boyce, Senior Development Officer, at aliboyce@yorku.ca.