GiGS Mentors

Photo of past GiGS mentors

About Mentoring with the GiGS Program

As a GiGS mentor, you may be working with 2-3 first-generation college students who are unfamiliar with the path to graduate study. Mentors meet with mentees at least 3 times per semester, maintain responsive email correspondence with mentees, and may be called upon to participate in a classroom panel discussion. Thus, graduate students provide a holistic mentoring experience to encompass more than simply academic advice. Mentors are expected to be available for at least one hour weekly for possible virtual office hours with their mentees.

Benefits

Leadership & training

Receive leadership development training to acquire mentoring skills.

Advising skills

Hone advising, teaching, and mentoring skills as they provide advice and academic assistance to mentees.

Stipend

Mentors will receive a $1,000 stipend for the year ($500 per semester). Mentors will help increase the diversity of students applying for graduate school by mentoring undergraduate students representing a range of ethnicities, socioeconomic classes, family college backgrounds, and academic disciplines.

Requirements

Submit an application and contract

Submit an online application. Upon acceptance into the program, mentors will be required to sign a contract detailing their commitment to the program and their respective mentor duties. Please note that mentors will be selected based on undergraduate student needs, including specific research interests and/or intended fields. Thus, we cannot guarantee that your application will be selected.

APPLICATION

Online Mentor Application

Application Deadline: Friday, July 22, 2022, at 5 PM PT
Selection notifications will be sent out by mid-August.

Mandatory training & events

Must attend Orientation/Training events in Fall and Spring semesters as scheduled:

Mentor Orientation and Program Kick-off Event: TBA
End of Year Celebration: date/time TBA

*Spring Semester dates: TBA

Mentee meetings

Required to meet with mentees at least three times per semester, and hold a minimum of 10 office hours. Mentor-mentee meetings can be used to discuss program selection, revise graduate school application materials, or give advice and answer questions regarding post-graduation possibilities.

A large part of your commitment as a GiGS mentor is to provide a nurturing environment for your students to feel comfortable asking you any questions/assistance regarding graduate school or post-graduation plans.