How to Be a Mentor

Mentors for the Freshman Mentor Program are current UT Dallas students who are looking to share their story and experience with a new comet. Successful and engaged UT Dallas undergraduates are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to mentor an incoming student. Being a mentor provides valuable experience for students who seek to develop their communication and leadership skills, strengthen their connection to UT Dallas, and create a meaningful campus legacy.

Application

Mentor applicants have learned from their own experience as an incoming student about how to succeed in a college classroom, utilize vital campus resources, approach faculty and staff on a new campus, and get involved as leaders at UT Dallas. Prospective mentors undergo a vetting process that includes an application, interview, and two professional or academic references.

Training

Selected mentors participate in small group and online training sessions to prepare them to mentor their assigned mentee. Mentors will be trained on topics including on-campus resources, leadership, mentoring ethics, communication, conflict resolution, and more. Training sessions occur throughout the school year, with a few training times offered prior to the start of each semester.

Requirements for Mentors

• Mentors must possess a cumulative GPA above a 3.0.
• New mentor applicants must supply two personal references and participate in a phone interview.
• Students selected to serve as mentors for the 2021-22 academic year must complete a series of online training modules by August 30, 2021.
• Mentors must attend an in-person training sessions at the starts of both fall and spring semesters.
• Program staff will enroll all mentors selected for the program in the UNIV 2074/3074/4073 (University Engagement and Applied Leadership) course for the fall 2021 semester and in a follow-up course for the spring 2022 semester UNIV 2075/3075/4075. These courses are both zero credit hour classes, allowing program participation to be reflected on the academic transcript.
• Program participation requires attendance of monthly small group sessions (six sessions per academic year). Participating mentors may sign up for these sessions based on the availability of their schedule.

Contact Information

For more information, email freshmanmentor@utdallas.edu.
To keep up with our programming, follow us on Instagram @fmp_at_UTD.

Interested in being a mentor, but a transfer student? Check out the Transfer Mentor Program.