CTAHR Mentoring Program Year FOUR has Begun!

In August, our CTAHR Grow with Us (GWU) Mentoring Program started its 4th annual mentoring program. The Grow with Us Program is a college and career preparation program that offers year-long mentorship to Hawai’i’s high school students. Mentors assist mentees with school projects, college applications, job preparation, and advice related to their interests. In addition, the field trips and extensive group activities provide students with hands-on experience in different career opportunities in Natural Resources, Animal Science, Food Science, and Human Nutrition. GWU partnered with CTAHR’s GENE-ius Day Program this year to increase student interest in STEM fields and career pathways.

This summer, our 12 mentors, including CTAHR students and alums, have worked with ASAO to prepare mentors to work with their high school mentees. Skills developed through these mentoring activities include listening skills, public speaking, emotional awareness/intelligence, positive outputs, community building, networking, and leadership training.

On November 20, 2022, mentors and mentees gathered on the UH Manoa campus to meet in person for the first time! They also participated in a GENE-ius Day food science lab activity and enjoyed lunch together.

Grow with Us is sponsored by CTAHR, and the following grants, are awarded to Drs. Jeffrey Goodwin and Ania Wieczorek by National 4-H Council, USDA - National Institute and Agriculture and Gear Up Hawaii.