Walkways to Westminster
Walkways to Westminster is a university access program for first-generation, underrepresented youth in grades 6–12. In this program, Westminster University students serve as mentors to youth, supporting them in their academic success, university preparation, career planning, English language learning, and life skills. Our goal is for each student to have access to an individualized plan for success after graduation.
2018–19 Walkways at a Glance
- The walkways program is hosted at 4 after-school sites serving over 200 students from elementary through high school.
- To date, 4 full-tuition and 4 partial-tuition scholarships have been awarded to South Salt Lake students attending Westminster University.
- We employ 35 professional walkways mentors in the community.
- The walkways program coordinates six university-access campus visits to Westminster University.
- Last year, every mentor reported significant improvement in their collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and social responsibility.
- In the last year, every elementary mentee indicated that their mentor believed in their ability to attend and graduate from university.
- Mentors contributed approximately 1,500 hours to university access work in South Salt Lake last year
Continuous College Access Programs
Little Griffins
Grade level: 6th
Focus: create positive and meaningful mentoring relationships, support academic excellence,
and raise awareness about university
Methods: one-on-one mentoring and tutoring, bi-monthly university programming
Location: Woodrow Wilson Elementary School
Mentoring availability: Monday–Thursday, 4–5:30 p.m.
Go Griffins
Grade level: 7th and 8th
Focus: build a community of university-bound students, promote academic excellence, and foster
personal growth
Methods: informal mentoring and tutoring, Go Griffins Club
Location: Granite Park Junior High School
Mentoring availability: Monday–Thursday, 3–5:15 p.m.
Griffin Goals
Grade level: 9–12th
Focus: create positive and meaningful mentoring relationships, support academic excellence,
and promote university access by reducing known barriers
Methods: informal mentoring and tutoring, advocacy, weekly university programming
Location: Utah International Charter School and Cottonwood High School
Mentoring availability: Monday–Friday, 2–5:30 p.m.
Become a Mentor
The mentoring relationship is at the heart of each of our programs. Westminster students offer their knowledge and life experience to support their mentees. In turn, the mentoring relationship provides an opportunity for Westminster students to expand their perspectives, practice critical thinking skills, and grow their community.
Mentors must commit to attending Walkways to Westminster at least once per week, every week (excluding school or religious holidays). Transportation is not provided. Pay starts at $9.50/hour.
Email Julie Tille at jtille@westminsteru.edu if you would like more information, or you are interested in becoming a mentor.
Sponsors
