FIRST Senior Mentor

Community Leadership

FIRST Senior Mentors (FSMs) recruit and support teams, mentors, coaches, and volunteers while expanding and deepening both the awareness and exposure of the progression of FIRST programs. From the ground-up to the larger community, FIRST Senior Mentors recruit, support, and expand, piece by piece.

Technical Excellence

FIRST Senior Mentors are highly skilled technical and non-technical individuals who serve as the grassroots backbone of the FIRST organization within their assigned regions. Established in 2005, this critical program addresses the need for hands-on support by placing experienced volunteers directly in communities where they can fill gaps and strengthen the FIRST ecosystem.

Dedicated Service

These dedicated professionals work part-time (10-15 hours weekly) in a cross-program capacity, raising awareness about FIRST programs through outreach events, expositions, and demonstrations. They provide both technical and non-technical support to teams while recruiting rookie participants and helping existing teams achieve year-to-year growth.

Partnership Building

FSMs also forge and strengthen partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, and communities. Recruitment occurs through a collaborative nomination process involving Program Delivery Partners, who identify candidates based on their existing FIRST relationships and cultural understanding.

Experience Required

FSMs bring experience as team mentors, coaches, or event volunteers, making them uniquely qualified to support the diverse needs of FIRST participants across all program levels.

FSMs are cross-programatic so they support all FIRST programs, FIRST Lego League, Explorer and Challenge, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition

Nomination Process

Recruitment occurs through a collaborative nomination process involving Program Delivery Partners, who identify candidates based on their existing FIRST relationships and cultural understanding.