Mentoring
Mentoring is a core element of the Baker Scholars Program. Upon selection, Scholars are paired with Baker Trustees who serve as mentors. The mentors help Scholars challenge themselves personally and professionally to consider more deeply how Georgetown and Baker experiences inform who they wish to become and what they wish to achieve through their careers and other contributions. They encourage Scholars to be open and leave room for the ‘new’ and ‘unexpected’. The mentor-mentee relationship is based on shared expectations and participation. Scholars report that their mentor relationships have “made all the difference” and are the reason why Baker Scholars return and become mentors and Trustees after graduation. In addition to their Trustee-mentor relationships, Scholars have available to them the entire Baker Board of Trustees and the broader “Baker web.”
I’d never had someone I could formally call a “mentor” until I joined so I was blown away by the warmth and generosity of the Trustees and all the Baker alumni I’ve been able to meet. From exchanging Spotify playlists and book recommendations to valuable career and life advice, I cherish the relationships I have with my Baker mentors.
Seo Young Lee (C’22)
The Baker Web
The Baker web is a lifelong, inclusive, and intergenerational community of over 400 friends, mentors, and colleagues who support each other, both personally and professionally. The strength of the Baker Web is largely due to each Scholar’s “Baker experience.” Ask any Baker about their “Baker experience,” and the response is most often accompanied by a thoughtful smile and words to describe a deeply personal, life-changing, and formative growth experience that made all the difference at Georgetown and beyond.
The people in the organization are my favorite part of the Program. The current Scholars, Trustees, and alumni have been nothing but helpful, supportive, and engaging. It is an amazing community where everyone truly wants the best for each other.
Jorge Ramirez (C’23)
Programmed Events
Baker Scholars are expected to dedicate a significant amount of time to the Baker community and activities, meeting frequently throughout the school year. The Baker experience includes visiting multiple cities and meeting business leaders across a range of businesses and nonprofit organizations. Each Junior serves as a contributor to several committees, which are led by Trustees and one or two Senior chairs. Committee responsibilities include: planning the Fall trip to a city proposed by current Scholars; planning the annual New York City trip; planning a day of visits to Washington, D.C., area businesses, organizations, and institutions; and participating in new Scholar selection activities. The Program also hosts guest speaker events, which Scholars organize with the Trustees. Through committees and other responsibilities, current Scholars have the opportunity to lead, develop friendships with fellow Scholars and Trustees, and contribute to the Program while they are at Georgetown.
Community Service
Community service is a fundamental part of the Baker Scholars Program, through which Scholars strive to exemplify the Jesuit ideal of men and women for others. This effort is entirely Scholar-led and organized. Current Scholars select and lead a series of D.C.-based community service initiatives in which all Baker Scholars take part.
Financial Assistance
The Program provides financial assistance to those students who qualify and works in conjunction with the Office of Student and Financial Services regarding all financial aid decisions. Selection for the Program is made regardless of financial need.