“Who Am I Becoming?” Mentorship and the Journey of Identity

Teen growth isn’t just about schedules and study habits—it’s about discovering who they are becoming. Adolescence is a season of identity formation, where young people wrestle with questions of culture, race, gender, faith, and values, and how all of these shape their future.

For Clara, having Deb as a mentor has meant having someone who truly walks alongside her in that journey.

When Clara invited Deb to celebrate her birthday at a Haitian restaurant, Deb eagerly said yes. For Clara, it wasn’t just dinner. It was a moment of pride - the chance to share her culture with her mentor and celebrate with her.  

And for Deb, it was a reminder that mentorship is about more than academics: it’s about celebrating who students are becoming.

This is what mentorship at Path to College looks like: not just guidance, but partnership.

💬 How You Can Lean In This Month

Supporting students’ identity development doesn’t require expertise—just presence and practice. Here are a few ways you can “lean in” with your mentee or child this month:

• Asking reflective questions: “What parts of your background feel most important to you right now?”

• Sharing pieces of your own identity journey (when appropriate) to model openness.
  

• Listening more than you respond—because presence and curiosity are the foundation of trust.

When we honor students’ heritage and identities, we don’t just support their success—we affirm their whole selves.

🧠 What Cultural Competency Looks Like in Action

At Path to College, we build identity-affirming support into every layer of our program:

✅ Mentor Training: All mentors receive guidance on identity awareness and inclusive communication, including how to ask thoughtful questions, honor lived experiences, and navigate conversations across difference.

✅ Student-Centered College & Career Planning: We help students explore pathways that reflect their values, communities, and goals.

✅ Intentional Matching: We match students with mentors who share aspects of their identity—or who are committed to learning from and honoring them.