THATCHER, Ariz. — Eastern Arizona College has been awarded $25,000 through the 2026 Arizona Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) GATE Funding Opportunities program to launch Monster Mentors, an innovative mentorship initiative designed to strengthen student success through meaningful connections with faculty, staff, and community members.
Monster Mentors builds upon the success of EA’s Hispanic Advancement for Belonging through Learning and Action (HABLA) grant, funded through the 2025 Arizona HSI GATE program. Through HABLA, EA conducted extensive outreach and listening sessions with students and community members to better understand the challenges facing Hispanic, first-generation, and other underserved students. Those conversations revealed a clear need for stronger relationship-based support systems and mentoring opportunities that help students navigate both college and community life.
“The HABLA project taught us an important lesson: students are more likely to engage, ask questions, and persist toward their goals when they have trusted relationships and a strong sense of belonging,” said Tonka Agüero Curtis, co-principal investigator for the project. “Monster Mentors was developed directly from what we learned through those conversations.”
The Monster Mentors program will organize students into small mentoring groups, or “families,” led by two adult mentors: an EA faculty or staff member who can help students navigate college systems and academic expectations, and a community mentor who provides local knowledge, encouragement, and additional support. Together, these mentors will guide groups of four to six students through regular meetings and activities that promote belonging, confidence, engagement, and personal growth.
The family-centered mentoring model was inspired by successful community-based mentorship approaches and aligns with research showing that structured, relationship-centered mentoring can significantly improve student persistence, engagement, and overall success. Findings from the HABLA focus groups showed that many students were hesitant to seek help, participate in campus activities, or access available resources unless they had a personal connection encouraging them to do so. Monster Mentors was designed to address that need.
“This grant allows us to move from identifying a challenge to implementing a solution,” said Karen Preston, co-principal investigator for the project. “By bringing together EAC employees, students, and community members, we’re creating a support network that will help students feel connected both on campus and in the community.”
The 2026-27 academic year will serve as a pilot phase for the program. EA has already selected its initial group of faculty, staff, and community mentors for the inaugural cohort. However, college leaders anticipate expanding the program in future years and encourage individuals interested in serving as mentors to learn more now.
Interested in becoming a future mentor?
Community members who would like to be considered for future Monster Mentors opportunities are encouraged to contact:
Tonka Curtis, tonka.curtis@eac.edu
Karen Preston, karen.preston@eac.edu
Know a student who could benefit?
Students interested in participating in the Monster Mentors pilot program can apply online.
Space is limited, and applications must be submitted by Aug. 28.
As EA continues its commitment to student success, the Monster Mentors program represents the next step in transforming what was learned through HABLA into sustainable, long-term support that helps students thrive academically, socially, and personally.
About EA: Eastern Arizona College is a student-centered, rural community college dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality education that prepares students to transfer, enter the workforce, and build stronger communities.
