Portland State University is proud to present the 2013 Summer Institute on Youth Mentoring, which will be held July 22-26, 2013. The seventh annual Summer Institute offers a truly distinctive educational opportunity for experienced mentoring professionals. Participants attend an intensive week-long seminar presenting the latest developments in theory and research on youth mentoring. Each session is led by a prominent, internationally recognized research fellow. The aim is a series of highly interactive discussions that provide an in-depth view of the research and examine its implications for program policies and practices. Sessions include time for participants to think critically and creatively about their own program issues and explore opportunities for innovation. A fundamental premise of the institute is that a sustained dialogue between experienced professionals and researchers stimulates research with relevance to the field and enhances its translation to practical application. As a general theme, the 2013 Summer Institute will focus on the role of risk and other personal and environmental factors that influence mentoring relationships and their effectiveness.