Meet Michael
Michael Gao
Junior Class Mentor & member of our Parent & Guardian Engagement Team
Meet our rockstar volunteer, Michael Gao! His journey with Minds Matter began in the 2022 - 2023 program year, and Michael has quickly grown to be an integral part of our community. As a mentor, he attends weekly Saturday sessions throughout the school year to guide our students along the difficult and challenging journey of preparing for higher education. Michael has been a phenomenal role model who encourages students to achieve their dreams. Additionally, Michael is actively involved in the Parents & Guardian Engagement team where he facilitates effective communication with the families of our students.
Continue reading in the comments for our Q&A with Michael to learn more about his time with MMBay! Visit https://www.mindsmatterbay.org/join to check out ways to get involved!
How have you been involved with Minds Matter / what roles?
I started volunteering at Minds Matter in September last year. Currently, I am both a junior class mentor and a member of the Parents & Guardian Engagement team.
What is your relationship like with the student you work with?
Over time, My mentee Nathan and I have developed a close bond. Whenever we work together, Nathan really trusts and values my co-mentor’s and my advice a lot, but we also pay close attention to what Nathan has to say. He always brings a unique perspective to the table, and we got to know him as this driven and independent young man who strategizes and plans for his future confidently. His work ethic, aspiration for excellence, and determination has been a true inspiration for me as well.
What is your favorite part of Minds Matter?
My favorite part has to be our volunteer community. From the leaders to the mentors and the instructors, everyone I talk to at Minds Matter deeply cares about the mentees. We work together however we can to ensure that the mentees are well-positioned to accomplish their academic and personal goals.
How did you hear about Minds Matter?
I first learned about Minds Matter from my friend Joy Sim when she posted about it on her LinkedIn. After hearing about her personal journey with Minds Matter and how rewarding her mentoring experience was, joining MMBay was a no brainer.