UCR's Campus Collective is an exciting new mentoring program for students who are entering college as a freshman.  Students are matched with mentors who are there to offer guidance as students acclimate to life in college.  Mentors will assist mentees in navigating the many adjustments that students often face when attending college for the first time. Mentoring pairs connect by text, phone, email, or virtual meeting platform. 

Areas of support include:

• Access campus support services
• The purpose and benefits of utilizing a professor's office hours
• Finding meaning social outlets
• Find ways to become engaged on campus (research, internships, etc.)
• How to best manage your time
• Maximizing your college experience so that you develop both academically and socially

Students are paired with someone invested in their success based on shared interests - a person ready to listen, inspire, help navigate challenges, and recognize opportunities. Students will learn what to expect in school, how to approach challenges, gain career advice and valuable insights while mentors will build their networks and develop skills to become better professionals and leaders. Mentor Collective's online platform provides training and resources for student mentors and makes it easy for mentors and mentees to connect.

Program Expectations

Mentors and mentees are encouraged to communicate at least 2 - 4 times per month, although pairs can communicate more or less frequently depending on individual preferences. Pairs can communicate in person, via text, Zoom, Slack, and/or phone. (All participants are given anonymous phone numbers for communication).

What do mentors and mentees discuss?

• Meeting new people and making lifelong connections with peers, faculty, and staff
• Getting involved on campus
• Adjusting to university-level academic expectations
• Developing a plan for academic, social, and career success
• Balancing the demands of a university with personal responsibilities and socializing
• Developing and cultivating professional contacts

Your mentor will:

• Help guide you in your transition to college by answering all your questions.
• Have similar interests, hobbies, and experiences as you.
• Meet or video chat with you on a regular basis.
• Guide you in discovering your career path.
• Encourage you to set goals.

WHY DID WE START A MENTORING PROGRAM ON CAMPUS?

Program Goals:

1. Foster a sense of belonging, feeling of community for those who have never been on campus
2. Recreate informal information communication, i.e. hallway conversations, and develop a campus social support network
3. Create a sense of enthusiasm about UCR and promote a more fluid college adjustment period
4. Reduce fears and provide campus navigation resources for first-year students
5. Reduce student screen time (computer) and provide both accessible and timely connections
6. Goal of 30% engagement (1,440 Freshman) and 800 mentors

View our presentation on the Campus Collective program.