Thank you so much for choosing to apply to be a mentor with the Young Women Leaders Program. YWLP matches undergraduate students (Big Siblings) with middle schoolers (Little Siblings) for a year-long mentoring relationship. Our program has been working with students, families and staff in the Charlottesville and Albemarle County Public Schools for over 25 years. We look forward to reviewing your application and speaking with you about why you would like to become a mentor and support our young leaders!
YWLP is sponsored by the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center and the School of Education and Human Development.
Time Commitment: The time commitment for YWLP mentors is approximately 6-8 hours/week.
Fall EDHS 2891 (Mondays, 3:30-6:00) for 4 credits
Spring EDHS 2900 (Mondays, 4:00-5:00) for 1 credit
Middle School Meetings on Wednesday/ Thursday (2.5 hours)
(This also includes preparation needed for the class or group meetings.)
All Big Siblings will also attend an Orientation scheduled for Monday, August 25, 2025 from 1:00-5:00pm.
Apply now for the 2025-2026 year now!
Application is on a rolling basis. Apply early to finalize your Fall schedule.
Important notes about the application:
*Time Frame: Please set aside approximately 20-25 minutes to complete the application. For ease of completion, the "save and continue later" feature is available at the top right corner of the application. You will be asked to provide an email address which will forward a link for you to access your application later. If you do not receive a link email las6g@virginia.edu for help.
*References Required: Be prepared to provide 2 character references. A character reference should be someone who is not related to you (or a roommate/ friend) that can speak to your performance in a (paid or unpaid) working environment or a school environment (classroom, college extra-curricular activities, etc.). Ideally, references can also speak to your experience engaging with youth, although this is not required. You'll want to check in with references to let them know they will be part of your application.
The application process consists of 3 parts:
1) This Application
2) In-person (or Zoom) Interview with a YWLP Team Member
3) A background check (required by the University's Office of Youth Protection)
Questions about the application or application process? Send us an email at las6g@virginia.edu and we will send you the information you need.
Diversity Statement
A diverse University of Virginia community provides every member respect and a safe place for understanding our differences as well as our similarities. Fostering the safety, dignity, and respect of women and girls is central to the mission of the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center. We believe that an environment that welcomes and supports people of different backgrounds, beliefs, ages, identities, ethnicities, and worldviews best accomplishes these goals. YWLP is open to marginalized genders including anyone who identifies as a woman or girl, and non-binary and gender non-conforming people who are comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women and girls. At the Women’s Center, we actively engage in discussions about social change and bias, challenging our assumptions and exchanging ideas. We invite others to join us in these discussions at our events, in our classes, and by social media. We encourage students from a variety of backgrounds and identities to apply to the Young Women Leaders Program.
Advocacy and Self-care
Mentorship can be emotionally demanding work. YWLP staff provide reminders about managing stress in a youth-focused environment, including discussion of beneficial self-care strategies and appropriate ways to integrate them into your work as a mentor. Mentors are highly encouraged to, and supported in, developing proactive strategies for identifying, addressing, and managing such stress. YWLP and the Women's Center have resources to support your mentorship and your scholarship!