In less than four years, AT&T employees provided students with 1 million hours of mentoring, here in Mississippi and across the globe.
Employee mentors participate in AT&T’s Aspire Mentoring Academy, which was launched in the fall of 2012 with the objective of providing 1 million hours of mentoring to students by its employees before the end of 2016.
Reaching this milestone nearly one year early is a testament to the commitment and enthusiasm of AT&T employees. As mentors, employees connect with students to help them discover their passions and potential. The experience has a positive impact on both the adults and students.

In Mississippi, AT&T employees are connected with best-in-class nonprofits that support students who will benefit the most from mentoring. Since the launch of Aspire Mentoring Academy in the fall of 2012, nearly 800 students were provided over 3,500 mentoring hours in Mississippi.

“Our students represent the future of this country, and our corporate, civic and social responsibility is to prepare the next wave of professionals for success in school and the workplace,” said AT&T Mississippi President Mayo Flynt. “I am incredibly proud of our Mississippi employees’ dedication and commitment to our youth and the future of Mississippi.”

A caring adult is a key factor in helping ensure a student graduates from high school. Student success in school and beyond is a primary focus of AT&T Aspire, the company’s signature philanthropic initiative. One in three young people do not have a mentor when growing up, according to recent research commissioned by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and supported by AT&T. The one million hour milestone is just the beginning of AT&T’s efforts to close this gap. The next phase of Aspire Mentoring Academy will use the power of technology to connect with even more students in more places around the world.

“A mentor is a critical asset in helping a young person achieve success and one that drives expanded support and opportunity. AT&T employees bring us closer to that goal with Aspire Mentoring Academy,” said David Shapiro, CEO, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership.

“One million mentoring hours is a major accomplishment. It helps us close the mentoring gap and equip more young people with the skills and confidence they need to be successful. We are excited to work with AT&T to expand their reach to even more students by supporting employees and leveraging innovation and collaboration in the mentoring field.”

AT&T is teaming up with innovative organizations, such as Nepris, iCouldBe and We Teach Science that use technology to provide mentorship opportunities. These organizations will help connect more students and mentors for whom in-person mentoring is not possible.