Embedded Files
Information about Class of 2028 Research & Innovation is coming soon!
ON THIS PAGE About Important Dates Before You Apply Course Information FAQ Contact
MORGANTON CAMPUS
About the Mentorship Program
About the Mentorship Program
The Mentorship Program is a 40+ year tradition and is recognized for its unique collaboration with over 200 volunteer mentors per year that provide project-based opportunities for students. The program is designed for students with little or no previous experience and relies on NCSSM instructors to provide the support and instruction necessary for high school students to navigate the experience with confidence, professionalism, and self-reliance.
NCSSM Morganton-hosted student experiences are diverse with research scholars and professionals at research universities, companies, and nonprofit agencies in Western NC. The range of topics and fields of interest widely vary (STEM, social sciences and humanities). Each year partnerships are established by NCSSM Morganton’s Director of Mentorship and Research prior to the fall application and the mentors participating are invited to attend the NCSSM Morganton-hosted events to meet students and answer questions about the experiences they are offering.
CLASS OF 2027 AND 2028
Important Dates for Students
Important Dates for Students
Sunday, October 18, 2026 (7:00-8:00 PM)
Wednesday, October 23, 2026
Thursday, October 22, 2026 (End of Day)
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (11:59 PM, midnight)
Wednesday, December 16, 2026
Friday, January 4, 2026 (11:59 AM, noon)
Announcing all SRIP/Mentorship 2026 (Webinar)
Morganton-hosted SRIP & Mentorship Fair (Virtual Google Site)
* SRIP/Mentorship Student Application Opens
* SRIP/Mentorship Student Application Closes
Announcement of Acceptances & Commitment Forms
Commitment Finalized and Signed Forms Due
CLASS OF 2025
Mentorship 1 (M1): Summer
Mentorship Programs at NCSSM Morganton
Mentorship 1 (M1): SummerMentorship Programs at NCSSM Morganton
Appalachian State University, Boone: Biology, Chemistry, Ion Innovations
Exploring Joara Foundation
University of North Carolina, Charlotte: AI & Machine Learning, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Data Science
Western Carolina University: College of Engineering, Highlands Biological Station
Western Piedmont Community College: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification Program, Mixed Reality Simulation Design for Interactive Textiles Training
Burke County Health Department
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification Program
UNC Health Blue Ridge
None at this time
BEFORE YOU APPLY
Applying to Mentorship
NCSSM Morganton-hosted Mentorship Program is open to all Residential and Online juniors to apply in October-November. Students applying for Morganton-hosted Mentorship are choosing and applying to specific program mentors of interest as well as applying to the Mentorship Program as a whole. Mentors’ opportunity timelines are matched to one of the three specific to the program timelines (Summer, Academic Year, or Extended which includes both timelines).
Mentors are involved in the application decisions as they select students for their opportunity in combination with the NCSSM Mentorship application review. Prior experience is not a criteria for participation; many students enter the program with no previous professional or research experience and mentors most often do not require any prior technical background or coursework in their field of study. Any prerequisites or requirements will be specified in the opportunity description. The variety of topics students can choose to pursue are dependent on the availability of specific mentors offering opportunities which may vary from year to year.
Maximum Positions Available for Class of 2027
Opportunity dependent, see below for more information!
Book an appointment with the Writing Studio
Securing a Mentor
Morganton-hosted Mentorship students will have a secured mentor for the Mentorship experience upon acceptance to the program. Accepted students will be paired with one of the specific mentor opportunities they chose to apply to as part of the Mentorship Program.
Students do NOT ask mentors directly at any point before or during the Mentorship Program as all partners are established by the NCSSM Morganton Director of Mentorship and Research.
COURSE INFORMATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can be my mentor?
Students apply to a predetermined Opportunity Catalog of mentors representing research universities, industry, medicine and non-profits. During application, students are able to rank and indicate preference for the opportunity of their choice and experiences are offered in all disciplines.
Will I get to do my own research or will I be working on my mentor's project?
Mentors are recruiting students for specific projects. When students review the Opportunity Catalog, they will be able to read detailed descriptions of each experience and apply to those that most closely align with their interests.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact the Morganton Director of Mentorship and Research
Contact the Morganton Director of Mentorship and Research
Christiane Burkins, NCSSM Morganton Director of Mentorship and Research
Christiane Burkins, NCSSM Morganton Director of Mentorship and Research
Christiane Burkins is the Director of Mentorship and Research for our Morganton campus. Before joining NCSSM in March 2024, she served as Internship and Partnership Coordinator at the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology in Lawrenceville, Georgia. At the GSMST, she managed a year-long, STEM-based internship program for 250+ seniors and also coordinated a quarterly STEM speaker series which hosted professionals from academia and industry. Prior to becoming an educator, Christiane held various director positions in communications, marketing and human resources. She earned her bachelor’s in English from Presbyterian College, and her Master of Arts in Teaching from Georgia State University. In her spare time, Christiane studies and writes about food anthropology, and enjoys cooking, hiking, reading, and spending time with her family and dogs.
Page updated
Report abuse