UStrive's fresh alliance will link students across the U.S. via ongoing, personalized virtual mentoring

/PRNewswire/ - Today, UStrive, the national mentoring nonprofit, and Citizens announced a new partnership to connect students with corporate mentors who can help them navigate college planning, career exploration, and the transition from high school into adulthood.

Under this initiative, Citizens employees will act as virtual, one-on-one mentors for students nationwide via UStrive's tech-driven platform. The effort aims to assist 300 students by matching each with a committed mentor for steady support amid key educational and professional milestones.

This collaboration arrives as companies seek more community-focused strategies to aid neighborhoods, boost staff involvement, and cultivate tomorrow's talent pool. National Student Clearinghouse figures show that just 52.3% of low-income high school graduates from the class of 2024 entered college right away, versus 64.2% from wealthier schools. UStrive's relationship-focused approach bridges this divide, with over 90% of mentored students heading to college and 92% of those at four-year schools continuing into year two.

"In an era demanding greater support, exposure, and assurance for post-high school steps, mentorship proves life-changing," stated Michael J. Carter, founder and CEO of UStrive. "This alliance goes beyond volunteer time. It fosters bonds that open fresh horizons for youth while offering professionals a fulfilling chance to shape the next generation."

For Citizens, the tie-up underscores a deep dedication to mentorship as a driver of internal growth and community uplift. As a skills-oriented volunteering avenue, it lets employees grow alongside students, honing flexibility, interaction, and leadership abilities while embracing diverse viewpoints - affirming Citizens' view that readying future workers demands lifelong learning at all levels.

"Mentorship thrives when knowledge travels bidirectionally," noted Susan LaMonica, Chief Human Resources Officer at Citizens. "Teaming with UStrive opens doors for our team to aid students in pivotal shifts, all while sharpening their skills and delivering tangible community benefits."

UStrive's tech-powered mentoring system pairs students with business pros for 9- to 12-month pairings, usually involving two to three hours monthly. This entirely virtual, flexible format enables deep ties irrespective of distance. Students can get advice on college and aid applications, college budgeting and early jobs, career paths, and employment readiness.

About UStrive
UStrive has impacted more than 4.5 million students, aiming to propel them toward college enrollment, graduation, and living-wage careers. Its fully virtual platform matches students with prepared volunteer mentors for secure chats, teamwork, resource access, and advice as they chart courses to college and initial jobs. 91% of UStrive students proceed to college with minimal or no tuition debt, thanks to scholarships or aid secured via mentor help.

About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. ranks among the country's oldest and biggest banks, holding $227.9 billion in assets as of March 31, 2026. Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens delivers extensive retail, private banking, wealth management, and commercial banking options to people, small firms, mid-sized businesses, major corporations, and organizations. Citizens empowers clients by attentively grasping their requirements to provide customized guidance, concepts, and fixes. In Consumer Banking, it offers seamless mobile and online banking, robust customer service, and access to roughly 3,000 ATMs and 1,000 branches across 14 states and the District of Columbia. Offerings span banking, loans, savings, wealth management, and small business tools. Consumer Banking encompasses Citizens Private Bank and Private Wealth, blending banking with wealth solutions for high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients, families, investors, founders, and enterprises. In Commercial Banking, Citizens supplies varied financial tools like lending, leasing, deposits, treasury services, forex, risk management for rates and commodities, plus syndication, corporate finance, M&A, and capital markets expertise.

SOURCE UStrive