For UCR Mentors
Apply to be a Mentor!
The Health Sciences Partnership program offers UCR students an opportunity to share their passion for science and health-related careers, and to help disadvantaged students discover that same feeling and develop higher aspirations of success. Application to become a mentor for 2023 - 2024 academic year will be available at the end of spring quarter. Mandatory mentor training dates will be announced as part of the application.
Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled UCR student who has successful academic performance
- Must be enrolled during 2023-2024 academic year
- Good academic standing, 3.0 cumulative GPA strongly recommended
- Must have taken general science-based courses at UCR
- Completion of at least three academic quarters at UCR is required by June 2023. Winter transfers need to complete two quarters)
- Juniors and seniors with a commitment to pursuing a health professions career are strongly encouraged to apply
- Mentor will need to successfully complete a FBI/DOJ background check
- Mentor must have reliable transportation to designated partner high school sites
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Commit to volunteer 15 to 20 hours a month
- Complete all in person and online trainings required by UCR and School of Medicine
- Attend all mentor meetings and scheduled site visits
- Be available during high school hours to visit partner high school site(s).
- Be able to work in teams and develop presentations and workshops in advance of classroom visits. Collaborate to deliver a join presentation with other mentors.
- Must be comfortable presenting in public settings and express enthusiasm
- Display enthusiasm for helping underserved high school students improve their study skills, motivating students to aspire for a four year college education, and inspiring students to seek health careers
- Maintain confidentiality at all times
- Communicate effectively with students, high school teachers/administrators, and UCR staff/faculty
- Be a role model to high school students
Individuals who want to become mentors and returning mentor should email pathway@medsch.ucr.edu.
Schedule for Mentors
Mentor teams visit partners schools at least once per month from November through May. Topics vary depending on the needs of the partner school. Past topics have included:
- Health career preparation
- Professional development
- Study skills
- College admissions
Training Requirements for HSP Mentors
There is required training for new and returning mentors to start the year. Regular administrator meetings are held on the UCR campus with partner schools site directors and HSP staff. Student mentors participate in the second hour of the meeting which promotes regular communication with health academy teachers.
In addition, there is a planning session for future workshops.
What Past Mentors Have Said About Their HSP Experience
"I was personally in health academy and it reminded me of when college students came in talked to me and I wanted to do that as well. It gives me a sense of pride that I can do what other people have done for me."
"I have become a way better speaker. To slow down, and speak louder."
"Being out there in the community, going to these high schools and interacting with the students of the Inland Empire. Here at UCR we are really in an oasis. Having this outreach component where we go out to the community, to their school, broadens our perspective of the impact we can have. You just realize, wow, that was me, and what did I need at that age."