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First-Generation College Student
Mentoring Program

Our Mission

The First-generation College Student Mentoring Program pairs mentors with first-generation college freshmen, providing a supported and informed transition to college life and ultimately guiding them to become successful students and contributing members of the campus community.

Interested in the First-Generation College Student Mentoring Program?

What is a First-Generation college student?

A first-generation college student?s parents or guardians have little to no college or university experience.

What are First-Generation college student needs?

  • A network of support that includes family, friends, professors, etc?
  • An understanding of campus resources and the basics of college life
  • Financial support and know-how
  • Emotional and social adjustment
  • Familial involvement/understanding in and of education

How does this program help?

Each mentee is assigned a mentor for the year. Throughout the year, there will be one-on-one meetings with a mentor in addition to meetings, events, and activities for everybody participating in the program. Some of the meetings will address campus and city resources and issues faced by college students, while other times will be an opportunity to explore campus and Austin and to get to know other people involved in the program.

What are the requirements and expectations of a Mentor and a Mentee?

Mentees

Requirements

  • You must be a first-generation college student living in the residence halls at UT for the 2008-2009 school year.
  • You may have transfer courses or have transferred from another school, but this must be your first year at UT.
  • Mentees will need to attend a program orientation at the beginning of the Fall 2008 semester.

Expectations
  • You will have one-on-one meetings with your mentor to talk about your classes, residence hall, and extra-curricular experiences and activities. These meetings are a time for you to talk about anything and ask whatever questions you need answered.
  • In addition, we will have different programs on various topics that you and your mentor will attend throughout the year.
  • There will also be various social and volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
  • The time commitment for participation is on average 1 hour per week.


Click here if you want to be a mentee.

Mentors

Requirements

  • You do not have to be a first-generation college student yourself to be a mentor.
  • You must have lived in the residence halls at UT for at least (one academic year).
  • You must live in UT?s residence halls for the 2008-2009 school year.
  • You must have at least Sophomore status to be a mentor.
  • You must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
  • You will also be required to attend training at the end of the Spring 2008 semester and a kickoff at the beginning of the Fall 2008 semester.
Expectations
  • You will have one-on-one meetings with your mentee(s) to discuss classes, residence hall, and extra-curricular experiences and activities.
  • You also attend monthly mentor meetings to provide updates, learn any new information, and help plan periodic program events.
  • Mentors will be asked to contribute to a newsletter distributed to administrators, program students and program parents.
  • The time commitment for participation is on average 1 hour per week.


Click here for the New Mentor application.

Click here for the Returning Mentor application.

For additional information, contact dhfs-mentor@austin.utexas.edu.


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