Frequently Asked Questions

I will be in co-op during the program, would I still be able to be part of Ascent?

Yes, you are welcome to participate while you're on co-op as long you feel confident that can make time to participate in our in-person events and required Mentor/Mentee meetups.

I am interested in the opportunity, but I am nervous about the time commitment. What support systems are there for me?

We understand, and that is why our team has virtual and in-person office hours to support all members with this commitment. Ascent is also designed with the ability for participants to pause membership at the end of each cycle, if they feel like they need a break. We want Ascent to be a stress-free experience for everyone, and we hope that by fostering a community of open communication and empathy, we can assure that members don't feel bogged down by the program.

What happens if I am matched with a Mentor/Mentee and we don't click?

Our leadership team puts great effort into creating meaningful matches and training Mentors to be empathetic and valuable resources to whomever they are matched with. We hope each pair can connect and learn from each other, but if you aren't feeling fulfilled with your pair, we can help. We give the opportunity for Mentees and Mentors to be paired with different people at the end of every cycle. We also keep open lines of communication so any major issues with matches can be thoroughly reviewed by the CIES Team and dealt with on a case-by-case basis.