Author: Grace Li
In this interview, we speak with Jane, the founder and CEO of MentorArc, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on increasing access to education through peer mentorship, fundraising for school supplies, and community partnerships.
Q1. Please introduce yourself and the mission of MentorArc.
Hello! My name is Jane Oh and I am currently a sophomore in high school. I am passionate about helping others and I am interested in educational studies and public policy!
I am the founder/CEO of MentorArc, a student-led 501(c)(3) organization tackling educational inequality worldwide. Through free peer mentoring, fundraising for school supplies, and community partnerships, we aim to provide every student the resources and support they need.
Q2. What inspired you to start MentorArc and focus on peer academic mentorship for students? How does this shape how you lead MentorArc?
After mentoring students in Indonesia, I saw how peer academic mentorship connects students across borders. Not only does mentoring help students academically, it helps students emotionally as well. I think the peer-to-peer mentoring structure really allows students to understand that they have someone that has their back, who has been in their shoes before. This led me to start MentorArc to ensure that every student, regardless of income or zip code, can access mentorship and the resources they need.
This shapes how I lead MentorArc because I believe that educational inequality is a problem that needs to be tackled in our society today. Many students lack a pencil and a notebook to learn, or they simply are not able to access the support they need to reach their full potential. I believe that every student has a talent and is able to achieve many things in their lives. I want to foster the dreams of young students and help them to grow. Every student has the right to access the resources they need, and no student should ever be denied that support because of their income or other barriers.
Q3. What is one specific story or experience with a student that inspires you to continue leading?
I mentored many different students before. I mentored a student in Indonesia, I taught digital literacy to students in rural African high schools, and I mentor a student in my town weekly. Watching these students that are eager to learn and grow inspires me to continue leading as I am helping to shape the next generation. Being able to help these students grow their skills and supporting them truly inspires me to continue leading.
Q4. What’s the most important quality a mentor should have when working with young learners?
The most important quality a mentor should have when working with young learners is understanding. A mentor can be an expert in their field but if they lack the understanding aspect then students are not able to feel emotionally supported. From both being mentored and mentoring other students, I have learned that mentoring is not only about academics. It is about understanding the student and adjusting to them to make them feel supported and seen.
Q5. How can members of the community get involved or support the mission of MentorArc?
High school and college students are welcome to become mentors or take on leadership roles within our organization. K-9 students are welcome to become a mentee. Those who are interested in becoming a mentor or a mentee can fill out the intake form on our website. Those who are interested in taking on a leadership role will have to fill out the Leadership Position Application form found in our Linktree and schedule an interview. The current leadership positions we have available are lead mentor, chapter founder, media producer, graphic designer, and editor.
Members of the community can donate to our GoFundMe for the MentorArc Access Fund, which provides school supply kits to underprivileged students. Spreading the word about MentorArc will mean a lot to us as well!
Thank you so much to MentorArc for joining us in this interview! Please check out their work here: https://www.mentorarc.org/
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