Under the direction of alumnus William H. Poland, the M.B. Rickard Mentoring Program was created to pair sophomore, junior and senior students with first-year students.  The program aims to ease first-year students’ transition to life at UMKC, to enable students to make the most of  their college lives through participation in campus life, student activities, and interactions with University professionals, and to provide career-developing opportunities to benefit mentor and protégé alike. 

The success of this program depends on the students serving as mentors.  The special nature of the mentor-protégé relationship demands compassion, insight, empathy, and a committed work ethic. If you are interested in being connected with a mentor, click here to complete the protégé interest card!

Most importantly, it demands an intrinsic devotion to people that will allow the mentor to create a friendship, both in and beyond college life, while also earning the respect necessary to be a role model and example to a peer.  Mentors must be UMKC students during the fall semester.  Students who feel they meet these criteria are encouraged to apply to become mentors. 

Students participate in the M.B. Rickard Mentoring Program as mentors or protégés. Working together, participants may choose from a slate UMKC offerings to have fun, develop personal, academic, and career, and step into leadership in the university community. Most importantly, they will develop their friendship through Student Life- and self-initiated projects. To apply to be a mentor, click here.