Dubuque Area Chamber & YP are proud to receive a DRA Core Grant

YP Next Up is a program of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Dubuque for future young professionals currently enrolled at a local college or university. This organization caters exclusively to students of all grade levels enrolled in higher education looking to make local connections and plan for life after graduation.

By providing professional, networking, and social opportunities for future young professionals, YP Next Up is creating a more vibrant and connected community. Thousands of college graduates have gone on to achieve great success within their respective fields and the ability to connect with these young professionals can create new opportunities, connections, and experiences.

The YP Next Up Mentorship Program is a program that matches students with young professionals. This high-quality, high-impact mentoring program uses a unique approach to guide communication between mentor and student through an interactive and personalized program.

Join us for the next YP Next Up program for the 2025-2026 Academic Year!

Thank you to everyone who attend the LEADERSHIP PANEL on March 4th!!

YP mentees and mentors, joinrf us for YP Next Up panel, “Understanding Leadership" at University of Dubuque on March 4th. Thank you to our panelists!

Panelists:

• Jenna Hirtz, Executive Director of the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. | Jenna holds bachelor’s degrees in Accounting, Business, and Human Resource Management, as well as a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dubuque. She is active in the community through Dubuque Forward, the Master Gardeners program, the Committee for Young Professionals, and is on the board for the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She also has experience in investment and rental property ownership.
• Noah Westhoff, Travel Dubuque, Field of Dreams
• Stephanie Grutz, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, entrepreneur, and co-owner of The Health Spa and Select Balance Supplements. | Stephanie has built multiple healthcare and wellness businesses focused on integrative, root-cause care and is passionate about leadership, innovation, and empowering people to take ownership of their health and their future. - Family Nurse Practitioner, Owner of The Health Spa, etc.

YP NEXT UP MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Young Professionals of Dubuque is proud to be one of the organizations receiving a 2025 DRA Core Grant to enhance and expand our YPD mentorship program! #WithDRA

The YP Dubuque committee is now accepting applications for YP Next Up Mentorship Program 2025-2026 Academic Year. All applications received will be reviewed and you will be contacted with additional information about the start date, meeting times, expectations, etc.

WHAT IS A MENTOR?
A mentor is a guide. A friend. A resource that paves the way to success and derives satisfaction from helping others succeed. Your role as a mentor is to inspire, encourage, and support your mentee, and to contribute to their professional and personal development.

As a mentor, you are asked to make a minimal investment of time but it will have wonderful results for students. We ask mentors to meet with their mentees throughout the course of the Academic Year, along with two in-person professional development events.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• All mentors must have a willingness to give back and make an impact by providing mentoring support to one of our local college students.
• Meet with your mentee over the course of the academic year, in person or virtual
• Attend mentor-mentee meet-ups hosted by the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals of Dubuque

LEARN MORE ABOUT YP NEXT UP
Let us know if you have any questions about YP Next Up Mentorship Program and we'll get connected with you! 

Thank you to the DRA for their grant supporting our initiative to engage our local college students with young professionals in our business community.
 

To sign up to be a Mentor, please click HERE.

To sign up to be a Mentee, please click HERE.
 

YP NEXT UP EXPECTATIONS & GENERAL PRACTICES

• Mentor/Mentee face-to-face meetings must be held in public places.

  • Recommend for first meeting to be in-person; follow up meetings can be virtual if needed.

• Best practice recommendation is to schedule 2 meetings per semester outside of large group YP Next Up events.

• Communications and meetings must take place during business hours (8 am – 5 pm) unless agreed upon by both mentor and mentee.

• Attendance at the kick-off and term end events are highly encouraged.

• These meetings are meant to be for professional development. Topics, attire, all communications should reflect that theme.

• This program is mentee led; mentees are asked to initiate meetings with their mentors. Mentors may contact mentee if they don’t hear from them.

• If issues of any kind arise, please contact the Chamber immediately, Justine, VP, Events & Programs, jehlers@dubuquechamber.com