ACE Mentor Program of America to increase student enrollment

The ACE (architecture, construction, engineering) Mentor Program of America, America’s workforce development organization encouraging youth to pursue STEM-related careers, is poised to enroll and mentor even more students during the 2015 - 2016 school year.  This is the 21^styear of ACE offering opportunities for students to prepare them for college and beyond, and the organization is making exciting new changes. ACE has launched a re-designed website, hired a new president and CEO, added new national sponsors, welcomed a new affiliate in Utah.

“The ACE Mentor Program attracts students to its 35-40-hour after-school program who want to reach beyond textbooks and understand real world applications of their studies,” states Thomas Gilbane, Jr., chairman of the board, ACE Mentor Program and chairman & CEO of Gilbane, Inc.

According to Jack Kalavritinos, named president & CEO of ACE in January, quantitative results from two 2015 ACE studies show that:

·         63% of ACE seniors were minority students vs. the national average of 44.3%

·         98.6% of ACE high school seniors graduate from high school vs. the national average of 80%

·         92% of ACE seniors entered college directly from high school vs. the national average of 66%

·         70% of college-bound ACE seniors major in architecture, engineering or construction management

“Survey results reveal and validate the work ACE is doing through its extensive network of affiliates and mentors across the U.S.,” states Tony Guzzi, ACE vice-chairman of the board and president and CEO of EMCOR Group. “The data helps define the value of this unique program for high school students, many of whom might not otherwise pursue a college education.”

“The secret of the ACE Mentor experience is that students and construction and design professionals work as a team to develop a realistic project that often relates to an actual site. This is possible thanks to the myriad design and construction industry companies supporting ACE,” comments Peter Davoren, ACE vice-chairman of the board and president and CEO of Turner Construction Company.

The ACE Mentor Program of America was founded in 1994 by the principals of design and construction firms under the leadership and guiding force of Dr. Charles H. Thornton. Its mission is to engage, excite, and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction through mentoring and to support their continued advancement in the industry.  ACE’s 63 affiliates in 34 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico organize 2,000 mentors to deliver a 15-session after-school program to almost 8,000 students.  ACE’s sponsors include many of America’s companies in the design and construction industry. For more information visit: www.acementor.org.