Faculty and Staff, please send the following announcement to students you recommend to participate in this program. Let the students know your email recommending them to apply can be used as their recommendation letter for the application. 

 

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We are excited to invite you to apply for the 2025-2026 Greater Norfolk Corporation (GNC) Mentorship Program. This high-impact opportunity, in partnership with GNC and managed by ODU’s Center for Career and Leadership Development, is designed for students who demonstrate initiative, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to academic and professional growth. 

  

Eligibility Criteria: 

  • Rising sophomore, junior, or senior (graduating Spring 2026)
  • Enrolled in any major
  • In good academic standing
  • Ability to attend in-person events on as well as some off campus events

 

How the Program Works: 

While the Mentorship Program is offered through GNC, the Center for Career and Leadership Development will handle the matching of students with senior-level mentors. This ensures each participant receives personalized guidance that aligns with their academic and/or career aspirations. 

  

You are required to: 

  • Maintain contact with your mentor and ODU's GNC Mentorship Coordinator for the entire academic year 

    and 

  • Commit to at least one meeting per month with their mentor. 

  

After the application form is submitted, you will be contacted to schedule an informational interview with the program's facilitator. Please note that not all applicants will be accepted due to space limitations, but a waitlist will be maintained in the event additional mentors become available. 

 

You can be matched with a mentor based on answers to your application questions as well as mentor availability. Not all students will be accepted due to space; however, we do maintain a waitlist in the event a mentor becomes available. 

 

To apply, complete the  You will be asked to include either: 

 

1. Recommendation letter addressed to the "GNC Mentorship Program Coordinator". This may be provided by a past instructor/teacher, volunteer organization, supervisor, club leadership, coach, mentor, etc.   

OR 

2. Record of your nomination message if you were nominated directly by a campus faculty/staff member. 

 

APPLICATION:

 

Students must complete online application by September 1st. 
 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to CCLD at experientiallearning@odu.edu. We look forward to seeing your application!