Transfer Mentor Program
The mission of the Transfer Mentor Program is to cultivate an environment of student leadership through mentoring that assists transfer students with the transition to college life and fosters a strong sense of belonging through academic engagement, social involvement, and community service.
On This Page
The journey from one college environment to another presents many challenges, both academically and socially, which is why we created the Transfer Mentor Program.
This program is designed to help you connect with and get to know other students who’ve also transferred to UT Dallas.
If you choose to join the Transfer Mentor Program, you’ll be paired with a student mentor to help ease the transition to UT Dallas, specifically during your first two semesters.
Our transfer peer mentors assist new students with leadership development, academic support and social engagement.
In addition to providing personalized support for each mentee, the Transfer Mentor Program hosts service, academic, and social events throughout the year for participants to get involved on campus and engage with the program.
Leadership Development
Mentors provide guidance related to leadership opportunities on campus, including service-learning activities, student organizations, mentorship opportunities, and other academically and personally beneficial forms of campus engagement focused on developing leadership skills.
Academic Support
Mentors help new students learn about the many academic support services we’ve got here at UT Dallas: Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL), Supplemental Instruction, the CommLab, the Writing Center, and much more!
Social Engagement
Mentors help new transfer students connect to campus activities and resources and point them to other offices — such as Transfer Student Services and Road Warriors — that’ll do the same.
Mentors and mentees also participate in Transfer Mentor Program’s social, academic and service events throughout the year.
How to Get a Mentor
Any incoming transfer student can request a mentor through the Transfer Mentor Program.
Mentors are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and the application cycle typically opens in late spring for the upcoming fall semester.
Mentors and mentees are primarily paired based on academic major and/or professional track, but applicants may be paired on other factors. Program commitment for mentees is a full academic year, consisting of both fall and spring semesters.
The Transfer Mentor Program is a peer-to-peer mentoring program, which means mentors are current undergraduate students here at UT Dallas. While they’re trained to assist in academic, social, and leadership support, they’re not tutors, advisors, staff or faculty. They are service-oriented student leaders who have recently been in your shoes and want to help you succeed.
How to Be a Mentor
Mentors for the Transfer Mentor Program are current UT Dallas students who have transferred here from another institution. Mentors are volunteers seeking to help new transfer students transition to campus.
Successful and engaged UT Dallas undergraduates are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to mentor an incoming transfer 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 legacy at this University.
Application
Prospective mentors undergo a vetting process that includes an application, interview and two professional or academic references.
Mentor applicants have learned from their own experience as an incoming transfer student about how to succeed in college classrooms, utilize vital campus resources, approach faculty and staff on a new campus, and get involved as leaders at UT Dallas.
Training
Selected mentors participate in required in-person training sessions to prepare them to mentor their assigned mentee.
Training topics include Everyday Leadership, Mentoring Ethics, Cultural Competency, On-Campus Resources, and more. Training sessions occur during the summer and throughout the school year.
Requirements for Mentors
- Mentors must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
- New mentor applicants must supply two references and participate in a phone interview.
- Students selected to serve as mentors must complete a series of online training modules.
- Mentors must attend an in-person orientation and training session at the start of the semester.
- Program participation requires attendance at monthly small group sessions. Participating mentors may sign up for these sessions based on their availabilities.
Student Leadership Team
The Student Leadership Team focuses on the development, growth, and strengthening of the Transfer Mentor Program by facilitating mentor training, supporting the mentoring process, and assisting staff in the evaluation and planning of current and future programs.
The Student Leadership Team also represents the Transfer Mentor Program at UT Dallas events as well as program events and trainings.
Responsibilities
- Attend weekly Student Leadership Team meetings.
- Lead mid-semester Mentor Meetings, including developing content and presenting.
- Attend and plan social and service events.
- Relay insight from Transfer Mentor Program participants to program staff.
- Manage social media channels for the Transfer Mentor Program.
- Represent the Transfer Mentor Program at campus activities.
- Maintain an individual personal project with the goal of providing insights and improving mentorship programming.
Interested in applying for the Student Leadership Team?
In addition to the mentor application, the Student Leadership Team application process includes a presentation, interview and letter of recommendation.
The application opens in late spring and closes in early summer. All Student Leadership Team applicants must already be approved as mentors for the upcoming year.
Contact Information
For any questions, comments or concerns, please email transfermentor@utdallas.edu.
To keep up with our programming, follow us on Instagram @transfermentorprogram!