Become a Her Climb mentor.
Committed to the whole girl. Not just a Saturday.
Her Climb pairs one mentor with two girls from underserved NYC communities—and stays with them from high school, through college, into early career. This is a relationship, not a résumé line.
Spaces like Columbia were always meant for them.
Her Climb is a New York City nonprofit preparing girls from underserved communities to access college and leadership opportunities with confidence.
Headquartered at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, Her Climb launched its inaugural cohort of 16 scholars in July 2026 — rising sophomores from four boroughs and seven public high schools.
The program combines mentorship, experiential learning, and leadership training across a multi-year pathway — helping each girl navigate, and ultimately shape, the institutions around her.
Four core pillars
You help prove a girl belongs — from high school, to college, to early career.
The whole girl
Her academic journey, her confidence, her wellness, her early career, and everything in between. We invest in the person, not a single Saturday.
A real relationship
This is not a transactional volunteer role. We look for professionals who want a relationship — consistent, present, and built on trust.
The long climb
Mentors stay with their scholars through the program and into early career. The impact compounds because you don’t leave.
High school
Confidence, curiosity, and a sense that these rooms belong to her too.
College
Applications, choices, and arriving ready — with someone who has her back.
Early career
First internships and first jobs — the relationship doesn’t end at graduation.
What you’re saying yes to.
Beginning October 2026, mentors join two Saturdays a month — one on campus, one out in the city.
One Saturday on campus
About one to two hours (no more than two of the total programming time from 11am to 3pm) at Columbia University — a workshop that reinforces the month's key theme.
One Saturday field trip
Two to three hours at a professional or cultural site across New York City.
One mentor, two scholars
A small ratio by design, so the relationship can be real and consistent.
The long climb
A relationship that lasts through the program and into early career. Relational, not transactional.
Background check & training
Under Columbia University’s Protection of Minors policy, every mentor completes a Columbia background check and training before being matched with scholars.
Mentor in the work you know best.
Scholars explore four career tracks. We seek mentors across all of them—bring your real expertise into the room.
Business
Finance, entrepreneurship, operations, and the confidence to build financial opportunity.
Journalism
Storytelling, reporting, and civic voice — rooted in the program’s home at Columbia.
STEM
Science, technology, engineering, and math — and the doors a technical career opens.
Creative Arts
Performance, design, and media — turning a creative gift into a creative career.
Your calendar, October 2026 to May 2027.
The Saturdays we’re asking mentors to hold. Campus workshops run 11am–3pm; field trips and special days vary.
Dates reflect the 2026–2027 master calendar and may shift slightly. The December Winter Retreat brings the full Her Climb family — team, board, mentors and instructors — together.
Sixteen reasons to say yes.
These are the girls you’d be climbing with. Each is a rising sophomore, chosen from a competitive pool. In their own words — here’s who they are and where they dream of going.
First names only are used to protect our scholars’ privacy.
Start your application.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis—priority deadline August 15, 2026. Main deadline: September 5, 2026.
Apply
Complete and send this application with your track preference.
Conversation
Selected candidates interviewed virtually with Executive Director Rita Omokha for a 30-minute intro.
Reference
A reference call follows for finalists.
Background check
Complete Columbia University’s background check and Protection of Minors training.
Matched
Your match with two scholars arrives by email, followed by a call from our Program Director, Jamie Axelrod.
Meet your scholars
Meet them in person at the first on-campus session in October 2026.