The current study evaluates whether a mentoring program can increase self-esteem and internal locus of control in underrepresented community college students. The primary goal of the mentoring program was to facilitate Compton Community College (CCC) students' successful transfer to a four-year university by fostering relationships with mentors from California State University Northridge (CSUN). The authors hypothesized that CCC students would improve by working with mentors in a gardening program and on collaborative in-class projects. Results indicate that the students show higher self-esteem, significant increases in self-report measures of internal locus of control, and higher levels of academic performance and motivation. (Contains 1 table.)