State of New Jersey

Commission on Higher Education

P.O. Box 542

Trenton  NJ  08625-0542

     Jon S. Corzine

           Governor

Telephone: (609) 292-4310

Fax: (609) 292-7225

E-mail: nj_che@che.state.nj.us

Web Site: www.nj.gov/highereducation

Laurence M. Downes

                                          Chairman

 

Dear Potential NJ GEAR UP Mentor:

 

Thank you for expressing interest in becoming a NJ GEAR UP mentor.  NJ GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) provides educational support and assistance to middle and high school students to help them prepare for and enroll in college.  Mentoring is an integral part of the program, allowing college students to share the benefits of attending college with NJ GEAR UP students in Jersey City, Newark, Camden, and Trenton. 

 

The recruitment, selection, and training process will include the following steps: 

 

  1. Application--Interested candidates must complete the attached NJ GEAR UP mentor application.

  2. Background check--Applicants must complete the attached blue New Jersey SBI 212B form so that a state background check can be performed. 

  3. Interview--Selected applicants will be called for individual interviews.

  4. Training--Applicants who are accepted into the program must attend a

    training session.

 

The emphasis of NJ GEAR UP is primarily academic; therefore, your grade point average may be considered in the selection process.  Mentors should be able to demonstrate the importance of academic performance to NJ GEAR UP students.

 

I encourage you to share this opportunity with friends and other college students.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  Thank you for your interest.

 

Sincerely,

 

Michelle Johnson

NJ GEAR UP State Director

Phone (609) 292-6190

mjohnson@che.state.nj.us

 

Administered by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education

Funded by the United States Department of Education

 

Program sites at Mercer County Community College, New Jersey City University,

Rowan University, and the Consortium for Pre-College Education in Greater Newark (New Jersey Institute of Technology,

Rutgers University-Newark, and University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ)
 

 

 

 

NEW JERSEY GEAR UP MENTOR ONLINE APPLICATION

NJ Home Page Higher Education Commission Home Page

Instructions:
Use the TAB key to move from field to field (SHIFT+TAB will move back).
The ENTER key (except within a multi-line box) will submit the form.
PLEASE DO NOT PRESS ENTER UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL SECTIONS!

NOTE: All information will be transmitted via a Secure connection.
Part A: Personal Information
Name (first, middle initial, last): 
Campus address: 
Campus Phone: 
Best Time to Contact You: 
Email address:  * MUST BE A VALID Email Address!
Permanent Address: 
Permanent Telephone: 
Check Here If You Be Reached at Home:  Yes No
Social Security Number: 
Driver License Number: 
Date of Birth: 
Gender:  Male Female
Currently employed?  Yes No
If currently employed, How many Hours per Week: 
If currently employed, Employer's Name & Address: 
Part B: Academic Information
University or College: 
Number of Credits Completed: 
Cumulative G.P.A.: 
Major: 
Minor: 
Year in College: 
Have you participated in the EOF (Educational Opportunity Fund) program?  Yes No
If yes, at what institution? 
Part C: Mentoring Preferences
Geographical area in which you would be available to mentor
Trenton
Jersey City
Camden
Newark
What month are you available to start?
Are you able to be flexible with your schedule?  Yes No
Part D: Volunteer Experience

Have you ever been a mentor?  Yes No
If yes, please describe your experience: 
Have you had volunteer or work experience with youth?  Yes No
If yes, please describe your experience: 
What other volunteer experience have you had? 
Part E: Interests and Special Skills
Are you involved in any extracurricular activities on your campus?  Yes No
If yes, please describe: 
What are your special skills? (e.g. computer, math, leadership): 
What are your interests? (e.g. photography, music, hiking, theater, sports): 
What are your career goals? 
Part F: Your Reasons for Becoming a NJ GEAR UP Mentor
Why do you want to become a NJ Gear Up Mentor? 
What do you think you can bring to the mentoring relationship? 
Part G: Background
Have you ever had an alcohol or drug abuse problem?  Yes No
If yes, please explain: 
Have you ever been convicted of an offense other than a minor traffic violation?  Yes No
If yes, please explain: 
Part H: References
List two references who have known you for more than one year who can provide
a personal reference (e.g., teacher, college couselor, employer). Please do not list relatives.
1. Name: 
Years known: 
Address: 
City: 
State: 
Zip: 
Telephone: 
Relationship to you: 
2. Name: 
Years known: 
Address: 
City: 
State: 
Zip: 
Telephone: 
Relationship to you: 
As a NJ GEAR UP mentor, I understand and agree to the following conditions:
  • To undergo a criminal background check
  • To spend about five hours per week with NJ GEAR UP students
  • To make an initial six-month commitment
  • To work with NJ GEAR UP students under supervised conditions at all times
  • To work with NJ GEAR UP students during a probationary periiod until the criminal background check is completed
  • To understand that I can be dismissed if the criminal background check reveals a criminal offense that can adversely affect the program or NJ GEAR UP students
  • To ask for assistance when I need help with mentoring relationships
  • To work closely and cooperatively with NJ GEAR UP staff members during all phases of the program
  • To notify NJ GEAR UP staff members and NJ GEAR UP students when I am unable to keep my weekly commitments
  • To be on time for scheduled events
  • To attend training sessions
  • To maintain a good academic standing
I do hereby understand and agree to the above commitments and responsibilities and attest that all of the information I have provided on this application is correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that entering my initials and clicking on the SUBMIT APPLICATION button below will be considered the equivalent of my legal signature. 

Where did you hear about the NJ GEAR UP mentoring opportunity?: 
ENTER YOUR INITIALS TO INDICATE ACCEPTANCE OF ABOVE CONDITIONS AND THE COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY OF ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED.
 

Thank you very much for your interest in becoming a NJ GEAR UP mentor. We appreciate your thoughtful attention to these questions,
and we will schedule an interview with you if your application is accepted.

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GEAR UP Home Page