Get Involved
We’re experts in the classroom and you’re an expert in the field. With your experience, you can support entrepreneurs as a mentor. Opportunities are organized below, representing a range of commitment levels.
To become a mentor, you will need to submit an online application. Successful applicants will then be invited to complete an interview with the Assistant Director of Mentor Programs.
The Entrepreneurship Scholars Program
The Entrepreneurship Scholars Program offers a practical curriculum of workshop-structured instruction designed to provide E-Scholars with a practical framework for advancing their ventures. Mentors provide highly individualized coaching to ventures.
- One-On-One Mentoring: Work as a mentor with E-Scholars venture(s) in a long-term relationship with frequent one-on-one meetings to help them find creative solutions for problems. Mentors are available on mutually agreeable times and may participate in offices provided at UMKC or at an off-site location.
- Group Mentoring: Work as a part of a group of mentors, focusing their combined experience on a single venture.
- Demo Day: At the culmination of each semester, E-Scholars have an opportunity to present their business ideas to a group of mentors. Students receive feedback and input from mentors who then can identify who they might like to work with moving forward.
Entrepreneurs in Residence
Entrepreneurs in Residence – Provide assistance and advice to students with ventures they create for their entrepreneurship classes. EIRs are nominated by Regnier Institute staff each year.
- Counsel students on business structure, management and general questions, augmenting their classroom experiences with industry subject matter experts.
- Meetings take place on campus with office hours that accommodate both mentors and students.
- Mentors will now be able to volunteer for the Regnier pilot program for online mentoring, meeting with students via Skype.
Mentor Speakers Bureau
Mentors Speakers Bureau connects mentors with Bloch School students during their class sessions.
- Provide experience and expertise, adding a practical perspective to specific topics taught in classes. Department faculty dedicate specific class sessions for bringing in mentors to work with students on special topics.
Special Event Mentors
Community leaders who elect occasional program participation may elect to serve for specific special events. The mentor time commitment is limited, but the benefit to the student is tremendous.
- Judge the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge and the Roo Idea Jump.
- Evaluate many of the competition programs that students participate in throughout the academic year.
- Mentors do not have to be available on a regular basis and instead volunteer when needed.
Mentor Instructional Coaches
Mentor Instructional Coaches have teaching or workshop experience and facilitate sessions on specific content such as human resources, operations, finance etc. for E-Scholar workshops.
- Mentors lead four-hour increments with hands-on experiential interaction for a minimum of one Saturday session.
Bloch Venture Hub Mentors
Bloch Venture Hub Mentors work with E-Scholars graduates who are provided subsidized office and work space at the Bloch Venture Hub.
- Work with businesses and projects after they are launched and provide guidance to those specific needs.
- Help the new business to reach the targeted revenues that the businesses set as their goals.
Please contact Phillip Gonsher, the Assistant Director of Mentor Programs, if you are interested in becoming a mentor.
