The CNX Mentorship Academy focuses on local high school students from rural and urban underserved communities who desire a family-sustaining, well-compensated career in the region that does not require a four-year degree. Given the abundance of low-cost energy, manufacturing prowess, and deeply ingrained work ethic in Appalachia, these careers—and opportunities to build and sustain the middle class—are plentiful in our region. CNX’s Mentorship Academy introduces students from our local communities to career opportunities, helps them build the basic skills necessary for gainful employment, and opens doors to further their career goals. The Mentorship Academy addresses the region’s workforce challenges by connecting the region’s premier employers, organized labor and building trades, and community-focused nonprofits with local, emerging talent seeking family-sustaining jobs. Academy students— high school juniors and seniors from rural, urban, and underprivileged communities—learn from local leaders and industry experts about the numerous career options available to them through hands-on activities, tours, and personal and professional coaching from the Academy’s mentors. Mentors work closely with students to identify which career tracks to explore through hands-on site visits with Academy partner companies. A key part of our Appalachia First vision, the program meets students where they are, and helps facilitate growth through exposure, experience, and mentorship.
Nick Deluliis, CEO of CNX Resources Corporation, founded the Mentorship Academy in 2021 to help young people realize their full potential and discover opportunities for upward mobility to which they never knew they had access. Read more about Nick’s story and how the Mentorship Academy has affected students in the Washington Examiner article: An Energy Company Shows Students The Path To Prosperity.
Academy Partners
The Mentorship Academy partners with companies and institutions across the region to showcase and inform the students of various career options available. We are proud to work alongside the following:
- Blueprints
- Builders Guild of Southwestern Pennsylvania
- Chemstream
- Community College of Allegheny County
- Deep Well Services
- Dress For Success
- EATON
- Energy Innovation Center
- Evolution Well Services
- Howard Hanna
- KML Carpenters Local 432
- Oberg Industries
- Operating Engineers Local 66
- Outreached Arms
- Pittsburgh International Airport
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Steamfitters Local 449
- The Mentoring Partnership of Southwest PA
- UPMC Magee
Additional partners will be added as the Academy progresses. Organizations interested in hosting an Academy visit are encouraged to contact CNXMentorshipAcademy@cnx.com.
Differentiated Approach to ESG
The Mentorship Academy embodies our Tangible, Impactful, Local ESG strategy and sets our region’s youth on pathways to success that benefit both the community and CNX.
Students
Year 4 of the Mentorship Academy yielded a 43.5% enrollment growth, increasing from 85 student in 2023 to 122 students in September 2024. The Academy also saw success in direct partnership with school districts (HUB), increasing from seven HUBs to 14 with 89% of the Academy’s enrolled students attending a HUB.
Mentors
Ensuring comparable growth among mentors and mentees, mentors increased by 31%, allowing small groups of eight students for every mentor pair. Pairing CNX and external mentors together provides a strong foundation of support and allows student participants the chance to build a small built-in network within the Academy.
Academy Growth
Tangible
We are focused on making a real and measurable difference in the communities we serve.
Mentorship Academy
The success of the Mentorship Academy is more than the program content. It is the collaborative effort of partners and community relationships within the Appalachian region. Our commitment to career exploration, career preparation, and career connection often requires us to think outside of the box to generate innovative approaches to workforce entry for our young adults.
The CNX Energy Short Service Employee (SSE) Internship welcomed its inaugural internship class in July 2024. This unique internship was made possible through partnership with nine of the industries leaders:
Jennmar Services
Chemstream
AES Fluids
Precision Drilling
Diamond Technical Services
M&A Resources
Deep Well Services
Shalepro
Nextier
Four academy graduates turned Energy SSE Interns spent 20+ weeks completing industry specific training and certifications, while rotating across participating companies for hands-on experiences to the life as an entry level employee. This paid internship not only provided resume building experiences, but served as an ongoing interview determining compatibility among the companies for potential hire. As of December 2024, three of the four interns received offers from at least one of the participating companies.
Impactful
We seek to identify true needs within our community so our support will have an immediate and long-lasting impact in helping specific programs within the region meet their goals.
Partners
Partnering companies align with the values of the Academy and promote positive influences within the region. Partners are committed to the development of youth within our region and connecting graduates to various opportunities following graduation.
Local
Our efforts are rooted in supporting communities in our operational footprint so we can foster more opportunities for growth, close to home.
Community
The collaboration of community organizations and partnering school districts provide direct support to the region, our students and families.
Mentorship Academy Success
The 2023 – 2024 Academy cohort concluded with 79% of those that initially enrolled, with 44 graduating seniors. The cohort included seven returning students from their junior year (88% return rate), with 100% completing the program.
The cohort was represented by 21 schools/school districts spanning five counties (Allegheny, Greene, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland). Of the schools represented, seven were direct partners to the Mentorship Academy – referred to as a HUB.
As of December 2024, 43 seniors were had successfully graduated from high school with the following placement results:
*Alumni Services refers to Academy graduates that continue working with Academy staff to develop skillset and/or are accessing additional supports to identify and secure opportunities for employment. The Mentorship Academy has made a commitment to remain involved with every graduate for as long as they (the student) allow us to be a support.
*Employed – Related Field speaks to individuals that obtained internships or employment within an industry aligned to those highlighted through the program. This is opposed to Employed – General which reflects those that have obtained employment in a field outside of those highlighted within the program.
We can use traditional metrics to measure achievement, but it is in viewing through the lens of the collective success of the students, their families, the community, and CNX, that we see the true valuation of the program. The following are just two of the many Academy success stories and partnerships grown within the community, generated from our Tangible, Impactful, Local philosophy.
Partners
- Deep Well Services has invested in the Academy since its inception. In July 2023, Keith officially joined Deep Well as a green hat. Keith’s strong work ethic has placed him on the fast track, having earned two promotions in less than a year.
Mentorship Academy
- Keith joined the Academy as a senior following a recommendation from the River Valley High School staff. While uncertain as to the specific path of his future, he knew he wanted to work with his hands. He was immediately interested in the energy track, eventually securing employment with Deep Well Services.
Community
- River Valley High School was introduced to the Academy via CNX employee and Academy Mentor, Perry Lupinetti (left). River Valley connected Keith to the program and has since become a partner to the Academy, serving as a hub to support district Academy students. Following the individual growth and success of students like Keith, River Valley High School principal, Michael Leasure (right), has connected other school districts with the Academy, leading to these districts joining us as partnering hubs.
Partners
- Along with these partners, CNX saw Avontae’s leadership skills and ambition. In November 2023, Avontae was extended an opportunity to work in CNX’s Operations Technology (OT) department. Despite an original interest to work in field operations, he stepped out of his comfort zone and is now expanding his skill set for career advancement with the OT group.
Mentorship Academy
- Avontae joined as a senior with the 2022-2023 class. His interests were in manufacturing and energy. As the year progressed, Avontae displayed leadership skills, catching the eyes of EATON, CNX, and a local drilling company. As of December 2024, Avontae has moved into a new role with M&A Resources.
Community
- Steel Valley High School (SV) was first introduced to the Academy by Deep Well Vice President, John Sabo (left); also a district alumnus. Since the introduction, SV has taken the lead in connecting students, like Avontae, to the program. They serve as an Academy hub, working in partnership to support district Academy students.
Alumni Profile: John Sabo
Learn more about Keith’s story and the Mentorship Academy initiatives and progress by watching the film: Transforming Success For Appalachia Youth: CNX Mentorship Academy’s Impact