Mission & Commitment to Inclusion
The ACE Mentor Program of America, founded in 1994, is a no-cost after-school program that prioritizes workforce development for high school students by connecting them with experts from the design and construction industry.
ACE Mentor addresses pressing workforce needs, offers a range of exciting opportunities for students, and plays a crucial role in bridging the skills gap, with continuous mentor opportunities from high school through to full-time employment.
OUR MISSION
To engage, excite, and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction through mentoring and continued support for their advancement into the industry.
PRIMARY GOALS
- Help build a large, diverse, and better-prepared workforce.
- Prioritize engaging students and communities traditionally underrepresented in the industry.
- Assist and guide students by providing scholarships, internships, and mentoring as they pursue career pathways into the industry.
CORE VALUES
Inclusion – We will nurture and value the diversity of backgrounds, identities, talents and beliefs of each individual involved in our program.
Collaboration – We believe a spirit of mutually beneficial collaboration will produce the greatest results and maximize our volunteer and fiscal resources.
Excellence – We aspire to deliver the highest quality and most impactful mentor program and commit to approach our work with fairness and honesty.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
At the ACE Mentor Program of America, we are dedicated to fostering a youth-focused environment that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable. We believe that in our programs and affiliates, every participant, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability, should feel valued and respected. Our commitment extends to providing equal opportunities for growth and advancement, ensuring a nondiscriminatory approach. We recognize and appreciate the richness of diverse life experiences and backgrounds, and we prioritize amplifying the voices of our students. As we model diversity and inclusion in the AEC industry, our goal is to create an inclusive space that offers equitable treatment for all involved in our programs.
We show this commitment in the following ways:
- Comprehensive Leader and Mentor Training
- Elevating Youth Voice
- Equitable Selection Processes
- Intentionality in Student, Mentor, and Board Member Recruitment