Skip to main content Skip to local navigation
Home » Advancing YU

Advancing YU

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 Black and/or women students for mentorship and skills development. Student will also receive financial compensation for their participation.

On this page:

Learn About Advancing YU Program

Hear from mentors and students participating in the Advancing YU Program, their experiences and insights.

How does it work?

Apply for one or both streams

Committee Selection

Paired with Mentor

Monthly Activities

DARE celebrations graphic

End-of-year Celebration

Who is Eligible?

There are two streams to choose from. Eligible students may apply to one or both streams.

Stream: Advancing Black Students

The Advancing Black Students program celebrates the many successful York University Black alumni and provides them opportunities to meet and invest in the next generation of Black professionals and scholars.

To be a mentee, you must be:

  • A student in the department of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
  • In your 3rd or 4th year of study (54+ credits completed)
  • Must identify as Black

Stream: Advancing Women Students

The Advancing Women program matches successful York University women alumnae with women students as they prepare to enter the workforce.

To participate, you must be:

  • A student in the department of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
  • In your 3rd or 4th year of study (54+ credits completed)
  • Female-identifying

Get Started

Information for Students

Learn about application requirements and program components.

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

Our mentors represent a diversity of experience and expertise from multiple professions. Meet our incredible team.

Program Outline: Month-by-Month

two Students in library
  • Welcome session held between end of September and October
  • Advancing YU application is closed (October 4th at midnight)
  • Advancing YU sends out acceptance letters to successful applicants
  • Launch event
  • Mentees are paired with their mentors
  • Students must meet with Career Centre (Deliverable #1)
  • Meet with your mentor for the first time!
  • Advancing YU Professional Development Event #1
  • Submit Reflection Journal #1
  • Vacation! No responsibilities this month
  • First $500 scholarship is sent out (conditional upon completing program activities and assignments)
  • Meet with your mentor
  • Advancing YU Professional Development Event #2
  • Meet with your mentor
  • Advancing YU Professional Development Event #3
  • Submit Reflection Journal #2
  • Meet with your mentor
  • Advancing YU Professional Development Event #4
  • End-of-year celebration!
  • Submit Journal #3
  • Second $500 scholarship is sent out (conditional upon completing program activities and assignments)

Our Sponsors


Founding Sponsor

Canada Life logo

Contributing Sponsors

  • BentallGreenOak
  • goeasy

Questions?

If you are interested in learning more about Advancing YU sponsorships, please contact Kathryn Glancy, Leadership Giving Officer at kglancy@yorku.ca.