LGBTQ+ Mentorship Connection Program
Purpose
The main goal of the LGBTQ+ Mentorship Connection Program is to build a bridge for our LGBTQ+ student, staff, and faculty community to form meaningful connections.
Program Goals
- To cultivate supportive mentoring relationships between LGBTQ+ identified students, faculty, and staff to build a greater sense of coalition and community
- To expose students to the diverse lives of LGBTQ+ members of the UCSB community
- To provide helpful resources to students as they explore issues related to identity
- To provide support for students who are in the process of coming out or who feel they are currently unable to come out
How To Apply
If you are interested in being a part of the LGBTQ+ Mentorship Connection Program as a Mentor or a Mentee, register on Shoreline to receive the application. Applications are due during Fall quarter.
Applications will close on Sunday, November 6th, 2022! Check out our Shoreline events page to register.
Mentors
Mentors offer support and guidance to LGBTQ+ students exploring their identities, based on their lived experiences as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Mentor Expectations:
- Participate and commit to the program for one academic year
- Meet with your mentee at least once per month
- Respect the degree of outness desired by your mentee
- Maintain and respect the confidentiality of your mentee
- Serve as a resource to your mentee
- Attend program orientation
- Take a survey at the end of the program to provide feedback
- Maintain open communication with the RCSGD
- Have fun!
Mentees
Mentees are LGBTQ+ students who are seeking to make a connection with an LGBTQ+ mentor and receive support around identity and orientation development.
Mentee Expectations:
- Participate and commit to the program for one academic year
- Meet with your mentor at least once per month
- Manage your time wisely and be punctual for scheduled meetings with your mentor
- Attend program orientation
- Take a survey at the end of the program to provide feedback
- Maintain open communication with the RCSGD
- Have fun!
FAQ's
Who qualifies to be a mentee?
Current undergraduate and graduate LGBTQ+ identified students who need the support of an LGBTQ+ adult mentor at UCSB.
Who qualifies to be a mentor?
LGBTQ+ staff, faculty, and current graduate students at UCSB.
What do mentors and mentees typically do together?
Mentors and mentees discuss issues of interest to the mentee. Some common discussions revolve around self-acceptance, coming out, various intersectionalities that affect LGBTQ+ folks, self-discovery journey, gender expression exploration, pronouns, etc.
Where do mentors and mentees meet?
Pairings may meet in-person or virtually, depending on preference. If the pairing chooses to meet in-person, they may have coffee or lunch together in a public location. The location of the meet-up can be on-campus or off-campus if both have the transportation means.
How does confidentiality play a role in the program?
Mentors have respect and understanding. If the mentee is not out and open with their identity, the mentor will never disclose the nature of the mentor/mentee relationship without the mentee’s permission. The only exception to confidentiality is if the mentor believes the mentee is at risk of hurting themselves or others. In this case, the mentor shall notify and voice any concerns to the RCSGD.
How often are mentors and mentees expected to meet?
The expectation is for pairings to meet at least once a month. By the end of the academic year, the pairs will have met at least five times. The meetings must remain flexible to accommodate the mentor and mentee’s schedule.
How are mentors and mentees matched?
Once your application for a mentor/mentee is complete, the LGBTQ+ Mentorship Connection Committee reviews the applications and creates pairs based on:- Shared identities
- Mentoring method preference
- Additional factors and specific requests of a mentee (i.e., gender identity and orientation)
What if I am having difficulty reaching my mentee or mentor?
The RCSGD will touch base with the mentor or mentee to discuss program expectations and the ability to meet them.
*Created by Center for Identity + Inclusion University of Chicago and adapted for use by UCSB’s LGBTQ+ Mentorship Connection Program 2021