Jul 7, 2020 _ news

Louisville’s ACE Mentor Program Wraps Another Year

Through afterschool programming, the ACE Mentor Program attracts high schoolers to careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. The program has a strong presence in Louisville, Kentucky, where GBBN’s Matt Nett has been involved as a mentor at Jeffersontown High School for seven years.

Mentors in architecture, construction, and engineering meet with students throughout the school year. The program kicks off every August and rolls out with mentors making presentations about their respective industries and familiarizing the students with tools and terminology. The second semester is spent working on a small, student proposed project. These have ranged from computer lab renovations at the school to studying a street intersection that will become a roundabout.

Although this year’s program (and end of year celebration) was cut short due to the coronavirus, Matt finds being an ACE mentor inspires him year after year. “The kids are so enthusiastic and invigorated,” says Matt. “The program is a great reminder for me about why I got into the industry in the first place.”

One of Matt’s mentees who spent four years in the ACE program just finished up his freshman year studying architecture at the University of Kentucky. “We still keep in touch,” says Matt. “I’m happy he continues to use me as a resource.”

Learn more about Matt here.