This is the second in a series of articles commemorating National Mentoring Month. Each Friday in January, the Daniels Newsroom will share the stories of students, faculty and alumni benefitting from mentorship.
Allison Caraveo knows what it takes to balance a busy schedule. Over the past few years, she’s juggled a full-time job at Boost Mobile, classes in the Daniels College of Business Online MBA program and a mentorship role with Minds Matter Colorado—a responsibility that leaves her almost speechless.
“I don’t think I have enough words to express how proud I am of these girls [I mentor] and how incredible they are,” she said.
Minds Matter is a national organization that pairs high-achieving, low-income high school students with mentors to ensure they reach their potential and go to college debt free. Caraveo has been a mentor with the Colorado chapter since 2023, working in a mentorship quad with two mentees and alongside one other mentor.
The group has been together since the students were sophomores. Now, as they prepare to jump from high school to college, Caraveo can reflect on the hugely impactful experience.
“I really just love this program so much is because these students give you that never-ending hope in the future and in the betterment of community,” she said.
Allison Caraveo and her mentees.
In the program, students and mentors meet weekly, discussing potential college destinations, brainstorming essay topics and reviewing applications. They also build relationships through fun activities, like going out to dinner, the movies or a museum. The mentorship conversations grow with the students as they move through high school. By the time they’re ready to graduate and choose their college destination, mentors are helping them think about a potential career path or the impacts of choosing one program over another.
With three years of at least once-a-week contact, Caraveo has grown close to her mentees. When she had the opportunity to join an MBA program with more in-person classes, she declined, because it would mean she’d miss the Monday night mentoring sessions with Minds Matter Colorado.
“It is just truly awe-inspiring to see what these students do, how amazing they are and the passion that they have for their communities,” she said. “I’m just so, so proud. And every time we get an acceptance and a new financial aid package, I could shout from the mountaintops how proud I am of them.”
Caraveo is one of many Minds Matter Colorado mentors with Daniels ties. Molly Doell, an alumna of the Part-time Professional MBA program, joined the organization’s associate board last year because she was looking for an opportunity to give back. Mentorship is an important part of her own professional growth, as she leaned heavily on mentors she had at Google to help her navigate the job market last summer. Working with Minds Matter Colorado is just one way Doell is paying it forward.
“I always look out for people when they’re just getting started to give them advice, give them boundaries and make sure they don’t get taken advantage of, because that was me and others looked out for me,” she said. “You see how much it helps you and propels you forward, and then you want to be that bridge for other people.”
Through its three-year mentorship program, Minds Matter Colorado has seen impressive results over the last two decades. Every single one of their graduates have earned acceptance to college with scholarships, and Caraveo’s two mentees will continue that inspiring trend.
“At Minds Matter there’s a huge focus on providing access, resources and support to these students who have high dreams. We’re helping them find the solutions and avenues that really make sense for them,” Caraveo said.
“Why would you gatekeep that opportunity from anyone?” Doell added.
Mentorship at Minds Matter isn’t something to be done on a whim, Caraveo said, as it is truly a weekly commitment for three years. She doesn’t regret any of it, even with a full-time job and an Online MBA to contend with. She, like Doell, wanted to pay forward all the mentorship lessons afforded to her. She’s helping the next generation of students and leaders thrive.
“It’s just been really amazing to come through those three years with them and have that experience of seeing their individual growth and their dreams,” she said.