Native SOAR is a two-tiered service-learning mentoring program. Each semester, University of Arizona undergraduate students enroll in the three-unit Higher Education (HED) 397C course. Students learn how to integrate higher education literature with effective strategies to engage middle and high school students in the local community. Native SOAR undergraduates also strengthen their leadership skills, such as group facilitation, interposal communication, and public speaking. Over 16 weeks, each mentor typically dedicates over 20 hours-worth of mentoring, which totals over 300 mentoring hours as a collective unit each semester.

In addition to Native SOAR students mentoring middle and high school students, they are also mentored by University of Arizona graduate students or alumni. The purpose of this mentorship is to provide professional, academic and emotional support to undergraduate students as they navigate the complex University system.   

The primary motive for both Native SOAR undergraduate and graduate/alumni mentors is to give back to local communities and empower the next generation of students.    

 Native SOAR Fall 2017 Mentoring School Sites 

• Tucson Magnet High School (Tucson)

• Ha:san Preparatory and Leadership School (Tucson)

Other Mentoring Sites  

• Baboquivari High School (Located on the Tohono O'odham reservation) 

• Tohono O'odham High School (Located on the Tohono O'odham reservation)

• Cholla High Magnet School (Tucson)

• Hiaki High School (Located on the Pascua Yaqui reservation)

• Pueblo Magnet High School (Tucson)

• Tucson Magnet High School (Tucson)