See how Nelnet associates are making a difference–one hour at a time.
What if one hour a week could impact a student’s life—and maybe your own? That’s the simple but powerful idea behind Nelnet’s support for TeamMates, a school-based mentoring program that offers students consistent time with a trusted adult—and gives associates a meaningful way to give back.
For dozens of Nelnet associates, it’s about an hour every week that can spark lasting growth—for both mentor and student. And it all happens during the workday, thanks to the company’s generous volunteer policies. Through the partnership, Nelnet associates can find a time during the school day that works for their student and gain approval from their supervisor to mentor during work hours.
TeamMates facilitator Lisa Kiely says it best: “When I hear a mentor is from Nelnet, I know they’ll be committed and flexible. That makes all the difference.”
Why Mentorship Matters
TeamMates was founded by Tom and Nancy Osborne with one clear mission: to help students feel supported, encouraged, and hopeful about their futures. (Watch the short TeamMates documentary for the full story of how TeamMates was started.)
Based on surveys from recent TeamMates students, the program is working.
- 100% of Lincoln mentees say they trust their mentor.
- 95% feel hopeful about their future.
- Nearly half show improved academic performance.
Since 1991, over 46,000 students have been served by TeamMates.
The benefits don’t stop with the students. Mentors oftens say they feel more engaged, motivated, and inspired. After all, helping someone else find their confidence has a way of boosting your own. Many TeamMates mentors go on to build relationships with more than one student, whether by mentoring multiple mentees at once, or continuing with a new mentee when another leaves school.
Many associates report that their time with their TeamMate is usually the best hour of their week.
Real Nelnet Stories. Real Impacts.
Alena Hernandez
For Nelnet Marketing Coordinator Alena Hernandez, mentoring with TeamMates is more than giving back—it’s continuing a family legacy. Her father, Vince Hernandez, has been a TeamMates mentor since 2002, guiding four mentees over the years and staying in touch with each of them. Watching his dedication left a lasting impression on Alena, who knew from a young age that she wanted to follow in his footsteps.
Today, Alena is making that vision a reality.
As a mentor to her mentee Raya, she’s building a bond rooted in trust, encouragement, and consistency. And the impact is already clear—school staff often share how much Raya looks forward to her visits and how much of a difference they see in her.
Alena says that mentoring helps her stay grounded and brings deeper meaning to her workdays. Like her dad, she believes in the power of simply showing up—being that consistent, caring adult who listens and supports without judgment.
“I always thought it was cool that my dad stayed in touch with all his mentees. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a TeamMates mentor,” Alena says. “Now, I get to be there for my mentee just like my dad was for his.”
Jennifer Draper
For Nelnet Diversified Services Contact Center Supervisor Jennifer Draper, mentorship is personal. In middle school, she struggled with bullying and slipping grades—until she was paired with Kathy, her TeamMates mentor. Kathy not only helped her rebuild her confidence, she quietly nominated Jennifer for a scholarship that helped her attend college.
Years later, Jennifer became a mentor herself. And when she crossed paths with Kathy again, she found herself once more leaning into that same encouragement—this time, as she debated going back to school for her master’s degree. Thanks to Kathy’s unwavering belief in her, Jennifer enrolled the next semester. Today, she’s a proud TeamMates mentor, paying it forward one student at a time.
“The bond we’ve made is really special,” Jennifer says. The school staff says, ‘Your student absolutely loves your visits.’ They comment on the differences they’ve seen. That’s the biggest part of why I do it—the impact.”
A Simple Way to Make a Serious Impact
Beyond Nelnet, TeamMates makes it easy for any reliable adult to get paired with a student and start building a relationship that makes a big impact on everyone involved. That’s why so many adults across Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Wyoming and South Dakota have signed up to make an impact on a student’s life.
- About an hour a week is expected (at least 24 times during the school year)
- Flexibility to meet at any time in the school day
- No experience is necessary
- Training and support are provided
Will you be the next TeamMate to step up and make an impact?
