The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is a youth leadership development program partnering local high school sophomores with current Harvard undergraduates in a mentoring relationship. Together, mentees and mentors challenge limited conceptions of who can be a leader as they build critical skills to drive positive social change.
Developing leadership skills among young people contributes in important ways to a healthy democratic society, and Emerging Leaders approaches this challenge in a uniquely Radcliffe way. Drawing on Radcliffe’s history—and the vast holdings of the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America—the ELP curriculum focuses on the intersection of identity and leadership, social movements (both past and present), and the practical skills necessary for community and civic engagement.
The Emerging Leaders Program currently works with students in two primary categories:
- Harvard College undergraduates, as mentors
- High school sophomores from local partner schools, as mentees
Through weekly in-person sessions, mentors support and encourage high school participants’ success in the program. College mentors also have an opportunity to develop their own leadership and mentoring skills and to advance their knowledge of youth leadership, social movements, and civic engagement.
Why join the Emerging Leaders Program?
If you are interested in connecting with, inspiring, and mentoring high school students on topics of leadership, social activism, and civic engagement, this program is perfect for you. Mentors enhance their own perspectives on leadership and learn hands-on knowledge and skills while guiding their mentees through the program. Mentors also engage in training and reflection sessions together, providing opportunities for students to meet classmates outside their own programs or extracurricular network.
What qualities do you look for in an ELP mentor candidate?
The following list highlights some of the qualities we look for in an ELP mentor candidate:
- current undergraduate Harvard College student;
- prior experience in youth mentorship or programming;
- commitment to social justice and equal opportunity and an interest in the intersection of identity and leadership;
- strong peer leadership skills; and
- good interpersonal, organizational, and communication (written and verbal) skills.
Successful student mentors will serve as positive role models for their mentees and as peer support for other student mentors.
What would I do as a mentor?
- Mentor up to three local high school students, providing one-on-one and small group support during weekly program sessions. Mentors are also expected to be in contact with their mentees on a weekly basis outside of program sessions through approved platforms.
- Contribute to the facilitation of weekly program sessions through regular opportunities to lead small group discussions and activities, as well as occasional opportunities to present or cofacilitate for the full session cohort of mentors and mentees.
- Participate in mentor training sessions in fall and winter 2024/25, and in monthly mentor-only sessions in spring 2025.
- Participate in a program kickoff event in late fall 2024, all program sessions from January to May, a capstone program in late spring 2025, and regular informal socials throughout the year.
- Provide written and verbal feedback to program leadership throughout the year.
What is the compensation rate and expected time commitment?
Mentors are expected to commit to approximately 70 hours, between September 2024 and May 2025, with the majority of hours occurring during the Spring 2025 semester. First-time mentors will receive $19 per hour; returning mentors will receive $20 per hour.
The time commitment will be allocated as follows, subject to future revisions:
Fall semester
- 8–10 hours of training sessions (some will take place in January 2025)
- One 2-hour program kickoff event (December 2024)
Spring semester
- Eleven weekly 3-hour program sessions
- Up to one hour/week of prep work
- Occasional 2-3 hours of additional time to prepare activities or presentations
- Four monthly two-hour mentor-only sessions
- One 2-hour celebratory capstone event
Throughout the year
- Up to 15 additional hours for optional committee work
Emerging Leaders Program Mentor, 2024-25
The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is a youth leadership development program partnering local high school sophomores with current Harvard undergraduates in a mentoring relationship. Together, mentees and mentors challenge limited conceptions of who can be a leader as they build critical skills to drive positive social change.
Developing leadership skills among young people contributes in important ways to a healthy democratic society, and Emerging Leaders approaches this challenge in a uniquely Radcliffe way. Drawing on Radcliffe’s history—and the vast holdings of the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America—the ELP curriculum focuses on the intersection of identity and leadership, social movements (both past and present), and the practical skills necessary for community and civic engagement.
The Emerging Leaders Program currently works with students in two primary categories:
- Harvard College undergraduates, as mentors
- High school sophomores from local partner schools, as mentees
Through weekly in-person sessions, mentors support and encourage high school participants’ success in the program. College mentors also have an opportunity to develop their own leadership and mentoring skills and to advance their knowledge of youth leadership, social movements, and civic engagement.
Why join the Emerging Leaders Program?
If you are interested in connecting with, inspiring, and mentoring high school students on topics of leadership, social activism, and civic engagement, this program is perfect for you. Mentors enhance their own perspectives on leadership and learn hands-on knowledge and skills while guiding their mentees through the program. Mentors also engage in training and reflection sessions together, providing opportunities for students to meet classmates outside their own programs or extracurricular network.
What qualities do you look for in an ELP mentor candidate?
The following list highlights some of the qualities we look for in an ELP mentor candidate:
- current undergraduate Harvard College student;
- prior experience in youth mentorship or programming;
- commitment to social justice and equal opportunity and an interest in the intersection of identity and leadership;
- strong peer leadership skills; and
- good interpersonal, organizational, and communication (written and verbal) skills.
Successful student mentors will serve as positive role models for their mentees and as peer support for other student mentors.
What would I do as a mentor?
- Mentor up to three local high school students, providing one-on-one and small group support during weekly program sessions. Mentors are also expected to be in contact with their mentees on a weekly basis outside of program sessions through approved platforms.
- Contribute to the facilitation of weekly program sessions through regular opportunities to lead small group discussions and activities, as well as occasional opportunities to present or cofacilitate for the full session cohort of mentors and mentees.
- Participate in mentor training sessions in fall and winter 2024/25, and in monthly mentor-only sessions in spring 2025.
- Participate in a program kickoff event in late fall 2024, all program sessions from January to May, a capstone program in late spring 2025, and regular informal socials throughout the year.
- Provide written and verbal feedback to program leadership throughout the year.
What is the compensation rate and expected time commitment?
Mentors are expected to commit to approximately 70 hours, between September 2024 and May 2025, with the majority of hours occurring during the Spring 2025 semester. First-time mentors will receive $19 per hour; returning mentors will receive $20 per hour.
The time commitment will be allocated as follows, subject to future revisions:
Fall semester
- 8–10 hours of training sessions (some will take place in January 2025)
- One 2-hour program kickoff event (December 2024)
Spring semester
- Eleven weekly 3-hour program sessions
- Up to one hour/week of prep work
- Occasional 2-3 hours of additional time to prepare activities or presentations
- Four monthly two-hour mentor-only sessions
- One 2-hour celebratory capstone event
Throughout the year
- Up to 15 additional hours for optional committee work