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304-9 - Student Mentor Program

Title: Student Mentor Program
Owner: Career & Alumni Services
Last Updated/Revised: 07/01/2024

Policy: The objective of the United States University's (USU) Student Mentorship Program, EmpowerU, is to provide services to students and alumni supporting their personal and professional development in meaningful ways. EmpowerU matches new students (mentees) with high-achieving students or alumni (mentors) to create a mentorship space that promotes unwavering support of student success and persistence toward graduation. Our approach is student-centered, focusing on the unique needs of each mentee through one-to-one working relationships with trusted mentors. With an emphasis on reaching students who may need help adjusting to the various demands of college, the program promotes leadership, goal setting, and time management skills. The program will empower student/alumni mentors to utilize their degree to maximize their professional learning opportunities and assist in increasing participating students' ability to be successful in their professional and personal lives.

Expectation from Program:

  • Cultivate a dynamic peer-to-peer relationship between mentees and mentors.
  • Increase student success, retention, and sense of belonging at USU by providing a support system.
  • Present mentees with opportunities for engagement with USU.
  • Offer mentees an opportunity to explore the resources provided at USU.
  • Give mentors an opportunity to give back to current students.
  • Initiate referrals and connections to other academic and social resources.
  • Enhancement of academic success skills.
  • Assist with the academic and social transition to an online learning environment.
  • Discuss, set, and work towards accomplishing educational goals.
  • Maintain professional integrity, privacy, respect, and sensitivity in mentoring.

Criteria for Student Mentors

All Student/Alumni Mentors must meet the following criteria:

  • Completion of at least half of their program of study at United States University
  • 3.8 or higher cumulative grade point average
  • Evidence of an appreciation for, and sensitivity to, cultural differences with respect for diverse perspectives and experiences
  • Maturity in dealing with confidential and personal information
  • Possess active listening skills and tools to engage mentees
  • Complete a Mentor Application

Criteria for Student Mentees

All Student Mentees must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a USU Student
  • Be enrolled for the upcoming term
  • Complete a mentee application

The University is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages all students to apply for this program. 

All student mentors will be available virtually via the Learning Management System (LMS) and via email. 

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to improve student persistence, retention, and graduation/completion rates, student satisfaction and employability among its student body. 

Scope: This policy applies to all active students and graduates of the University that wish to participate in the mentorship program. 

Documents and Forms: