The Media Communications Council (MCC) is partnering with the Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium (IE) at The University of Texas to launch It Could Be U: An Intensive Mentoring & College Readiness Program for middle and high school age youth in Central Texas.

MCC and IE are looking for graduate student mentors to lead four groups of middle and high school students in the following areas:

• Media/Communications
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
• Entrepreneurship
• Music/Visual/Performing Arts

In addition to mentoring the youth in each group, graduate students will work closely with MCC staff to coordinate activities and establish relationships with field related community professionals, businesses and non-profits.

There are two opportunities for graduate students to participate, this upcoming spring semester and during the summer.

Spring semester 2011–Graduate student mentors will work with youth that have selected one of the four subject areas listed above to 1) help them gain a better understanding of what it takes to flourish in that field 2) build a professionally reviewed portfolio related to that field and 3) develop an educational plan. The spring program begins in February, with an expected time commitment of 2 to 4 hours per week. Graduate students participating in the spring semester will be paid stipends of $400-$750

Summer 2011: Graduate student mentors will spearhead intensive 30 – 60 hour service learning projects in which students work with local businesses and non-profits to provide real goods and services. The results of these projects will be showcased at an E4 Youth Summit to take place at the University of Texas campus in July. Graduate students participating in the Summer will be paid stipends of $600-$1200.

Mentoring sessions will generally take place at Housing Authority of the City of Austin community centers around the city.

In addition to stipends, this is a unique opportunity for graduate students to gain valuable professional development mentoring youth, building community partnerships, managing collaborative projects, and expanding the impact of their discipline.

If you’d like to participate or for more information please contact Christine Moline at  christine.moline at mccombs.utexas.edu and provide:

1) Current Discipline or Field of Study

2) Group/Field Preference (i.e., Media/Communication, STEM, Entrepreneurship, Music/Visual/Performing Arts)

3) Paragraph explaining your interest and relevant experience in your group/field preference

4) Experience you may have working with youth in particular.

5) Resume/VITA

About IE and MCC

The Intellectual Entrepreneurship program is an intercollegial consortium that is part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement portfolio. The mission of IE is to educate citizen scholars–individuals who creatively utilize their intellectual capital for social good.

The Media Communications Council is a 501(c)3 that operates under the auspices of the Texas Diversity Council.  The MCC provides outreach, consulting services and special events aimed at empowering all parts of the community.