MRPA Mentorship Program

The MRPA Mentorship Program is hosted by the Member Resource Network to help park and recreation students and professionals grow professionally in the field through meaningful connections. 

2026 MRPA Mentorship Program

The MRPA Mentorship Program is now taking applications for both mentors and mentees interested in being a part of a mentorship program. This program helps park and recreation professionals and students grow professionally in the field through meaningful connections. Please submit applications by January 9, 2026.

Mentor Application - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F3KVCLB

Mentee Application - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FGTPGNW

2026 Mentorship Events:

Mentorship Connection: Mid-January

Meet on Your Own: February, March and April

Celebration Luncheon: Mid-May

MRPA thanks the mentorship program committee members: John Elholm with the City of Crystal, Jonathan Hicks with Minnesota State University, Mankato, and John W. Stutzman with the City of St. Peter, as well as the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation for their partnership.

MRPA Mentorship Program History

For the past five years, applications were reviewed and there were 23 mentor / mentee pairs in 2025, 21 mentor / mentee pairs in 2024, and 26 mentor / mentee pairs in 2023. There were 24 pairs for the program in 2022 and 20 pairs for the program's first year in 2021.  

The MRPA Mentorship Program was formed to help park and recreation students and professionals grow professionally in the field through meaningful connections. The program enables students and career professionals to be paired with an experienced or distinguished professional for an experience that will last a lifetime.