BEYA Stars and Stripes Mentoring Program is a special component to the BEYA Conference, as it offers an invaluable experience where approximately over 600 pre-college (middle and high school) students and engineering majors from local colleges and universities are able to engage nearly 200 flag officers of all Services in inspirational conversation, guidance and mentorship.
Created in February 2011 under the leadership of VADM (Ret.) Anthony Winns and VADM (Ret.) Walter Davis, the BEYA Stars and Stripes Pre-dinner Mentoring Program is a two-hour event where mentors not only speak to multiple groups of young people about leadership, STEM, and the rewards of military service, but take the time to deliver Service messages, build relationships, and serve as role models for influencers and prospective employees.
“I believe students would greatly benefit from the BEYA Stars and Stripes Mentoring Program due to the encouragement and influence they’ll receive through discussions of leadership and professional development,” VADM (Ret.) Anthony Winns said.
BEYA Stars and Stripes Mentoring Program is a life-changing event for all student participants and mentors. During the event, there will be informative sessions that discuss leadership and professional development topics, which encourage students who are interested in STEM to continue their studies and strive for a STEM-related career.
Due to demand, Stars and Stripes Pre-dinner Mentors are limited to 175 leaders. Stars and Stripes Pre-dinner Mentorship is available to active-duty admirals, generals, members of the Senior Executive Service, C-suite executives, and retired admirals, generals, and members who have previously participated in BEYA and/or Stars and Stripes. Interested mentors are selected by the Stars and Stripes Mentoring Committee led by Secretary Craig Crenshaw and VADM (Ret.) Walter Davis. Mentors are notified by 10 January each year of acceptance.
BEYA Stars and Stripes also hosts a Sustained Mentoring Program. The Sustained Mentoring Program is a life-changing event for all student participants and mentors. During the Sustained Mentoring Program senior leaders engage with high school and collegiate youth year-round with informative sessions that discuss leadership, college readiness, and STEM career decision points.
Contact Matt Bowman at mbowman@ccgmag.com or Ana Bertrand at abertrand@ccgmag.com
BEYA STEM Connections
Stars and Stripes Sustained Mentoring Program currently involves students from 4 Washington DC Metro area high schools including Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Suitland High School, Hayfield High School, and Phelps High School.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is the product of a partnership forged between the business community and Fairfax County Public Schools to improve education in science, mathematics, and technology. It is one of the schools involved in the BEYA Stars and Stripes Sustained Mentoring Program. Dr. Evan Glazer, an award-winning Principal at TJHSST and Ms. Andrea Smith, the TJHSST Becoming Everything You Are (BEYA) administrator have been instrumental in the success of the effort.
Dr. Glazer and Ms. Smith took part in the 2017 BEYA Stars and Stripes events. Both participated in the speed mentoring session and attended the awards dinner. Dr. Glazer also served as a speaker and sounding board to senior members of the Stars and Stripes committee as it developed strategies and best practices for implementing the Sustained Mentoring Program at public schools.
Selection for the Sustained Mentoring initiative is selective. The students are chosen by their schools to take part in the mentoring program. Mentors are selected by the Stars and Stripes Committee and mentorship is open to active duty and retired senior enlisted, Field Grade/Senior officers, and industry executives.