SUMMER Mentors
The Summer Mentors Program Make a Difference
Welcome Summer Mentors 2026
Welcome, Cohort 4! WYEN gathered with a dozen undergrad and grad students preparing to serve as Summer Mentors in youth-serving programs in Burlington, Casper, Evanston, Glenrock, Laramie, and Lusk. They bring energy, relatability, and fresh perspective that can help young people see what’s possible while strengthening the teams that make summer programs thrive. By adding trained mentors to their staff or volunteer teams, host programs gain additional capacity, ready-to-use activities, and enthusiastic leaders.
Cohort 4 Participants
- Aspen Trevathan, Rawlins
- Brianna Hoisington, Laramie
- Cadence Fostervold, Laramie
- Emma McAmis, Longmont, CO
- Husanpreet Singh, Laramie
- Juilanna Stewart, Glenrock
- Kort Bannan, Lusk
- Olivia Conner, Casper
- Paxton Philipott, Burlington
- Rachel Stephens, Laramie
- Taryn Crookshanks, Laramie
- Taylor Petersen, Evanston
Cohort 4 kicked off their experience with a one-day training at UW’s STEM Sandbox. Facilitated by WYEN Program Associate Emily Vercoe, the session focused on positive youth development, creating nurturing community, and building a supportive statewide network. Mentors also took part in hands-on professional learning led by Jamaal Williams of Partnership for Education, Arts, and Research (PEAR). We’re grateful to the summer programs partnering with us to host these mentors and excited to see the connections—and opportunities—they’ll help spark for Wyoming youth this summer.
About the Summer Mentors Program
The Summer Mentors Program trains college students to work with kids in Wyoming communities—building relationships, sparking curiosity, and creating the kind of belonging that changes lives. You’ll gain real skills, earn money, and spend your summer doing work that actually matters.
What’s included
💰$600 stipend (on top of whatever your summer job pays you)
🎓Professional training in youth development and relationship building
🤝A statewide network of mentors doing the same work across Wyoming
📦$500 in materials/resources for your program
✨Experience that counts (meets undergraduate internship requirements)
💡 Plus, you’ll have stories worth telling for years
📘Download the full information packet!
The training works with your schedule
Taking advantage of the time between the end of college courses and when summer programs begin, participants will meet in Laramie for a one-day, in-person training. You will then participate in five virtual professional development sessions throughout the spring and early summer. Sessions are led by WYEN staff and nationally recognized experts in youth development. The program concludes with a one-day, in-person wrap-up session in August. Mentors receive a stipend, funds to help support their activities, and access to a statewide mentor network and resources.
Program Schedule
Winter: Applications opened January 20 and closed April 1.
Spring: A one-day in-person training was held in April in Laramie at the STEM Sandbox. The session was facilitated by WYEN Program Coordinator Emily Vercoe with training from PEAR’s Assistant Director of Training Jamaal Williams.
Summer Professional Development: Virtual sessions offer mentors additional strategies for working with youth from fabulous experts in the field, reinforce and build on the in-person content, and continue to be a place for reflection and celebration of all that comes with working with youth. Virtual sessions typically run weekly in May and June and last between 60 and 90 minutes each. Some pre-work, group discussions, and other activities will be included. We will do our best to find a time that works for the programs that host mentors to minimize time away from youth.
Virtual session content will include:
Effective facilitation strategies – such as:
- Mentoring
- Asking questions and active listening
Youth development strategies – such as:
- STEM and lifeskills
- Positive youth development
- Experiential learning
Fall: A one-day in-person closing session will be held in August in Laramie before the beginning of UW’s fall semester to help Mentors celebrate their work and synthesize their experiences.
This schedule is subject to change!
Summer Mentors Reflect on Their Experience
“I want to be able to help provide these opportunities for young people in my community. Many of the students I have worked with in the past have a love for STEAM. I want to help nurture this passion and give them more opportunities. In my hometown, I was the only girl who loved my science classes and wanted more opportunities.” Abby C., 2024
“I think that exploring helps teach us how to learn. It reminds us that it is okay to not know something and to ask questions. Exploring reminds us that learning can be fun and exciting, and it can create a passion for life-long learning. Exploring also teaches us how to think on our own. When we’re out exploring and asking questions, we don’t have a teacher to turn to that will know all the answers.” Alayna, 2024
“It is exciting to me that I can be a guide to students in my community and allow them to grow into their best selves.” Ray, 2024
“Even if you don’t get to see the impact right away, you’re making a difference.” Lauren, 2025
“Every day was different and seeing how much the kids learned and grew—both in confidence and curiosity—was genuinely fulfilling,” Floyd said. “It showed me how powerful it is to create space for kids to explore, ask questions, and just be themselves.” Jada, 2025
Learn more about the experience
Two profiles of the 2025 Summer Mentors speak to the different experiences that participants can have with the program. As a rising junior at the University of Wyoming, Lauren brought curiosity, compassion, and creativity to her work. Her experience highlights the importance of youth voice, exposure to career pathways, and near-peer mentorship. Read Lauren’s profile. Ashley Baros, Jada Floyd, Maisie Baros, and Mia Saucedo were the team from Goshen County’s Summer BREAK who served nearly 50 young people while offering a safe and engaging place to learn, explore, and grow. Read Summer BREAK’s profile.
The program has been supported in part through the Stem Next Foundation. When out-of-school-time STEM experiences are intentionally and thoughtfully woven into a workforce development system, more youth will be excited about STEM, grow their interest and skills, see themselves as belonging in STEM, and be prepared to pursue STEM careers and beyond.
Mission: We bridge the gap between Wyoming’s out-of-school programs and the communities they uplift, fueling them with resources, support and opportunities that inspire lifelong learning, growth and connection.
Family of Funds
