Mentorship Program

Goals of the program
Each mentee and mentor will be able to decide exactly what they would like to get out of the program, but a few benefits GradOPS would like everyone to receive include:
For Mentees
  • A smoother transition into the department/university/City of Davis
  • A friendly face(s) outside of your year
  • Someone to point you to useful resources
For Mentors
  • The satisfaction of helping another student
  • Developing mentorship skills
  • An opportunity to reflect on growth since 1st year

How It Works

Shortly before the beginning of Fall Quarter each year, an email will be sent with a form to sign up for the program as a mentee or a mentor. You will have the option to sign up for a one-on-one mentoring relationship, or to participate in group events only.

Group-Only Mentorship

As a mentee or a mentor, you will be able to attend group events that interest you with little commitment. As a mentor, this is a good option if you want to meet and help out the new students, but travel often or may graduate before the year ends. As a mentee, this is a good option if you would like the social benefits of the mentorship program, but do not think you will need the attention of a one-on-one relationship.

One-On-One Mentorship
  • Each first year student (mentee) will be matched with a more senior student (mentor) using the mentee-mentor matching forms
  • One year commitment (Fall to Fall)
  • Obligations:
    • Fill out the mentee-mentor matching form (will be sent out before the start of Fall Quarter each year)
    • Orientation at the beginning of fall quarter with all mentors and mentees; this will include introductions, guidelines, usually snacks and activities
    • One-on-one meetings with a frequency agreed upon by mentee and mentor with a minimum of once a quarter. These can be formal, like in an office, or informal like in a coffee shop.
    • Quarterly whole-group get-togethers. These meetings will be mostly social and only strongly recommended, rather than required.
    • Quarterly short surveys to check in on satisfaction with relationship, etc. in order to make immediate improvements in the relationship.
    • End of year survey to give detailed feedback in order to make long term improvements to the program.

Photos from past events