Chemistry Peer Mentoring Program

A group of participants from the Chemistry Peer Mentoring Program.

 

Founded in 2017 by Dr. Lucy M. C. Luong while she was a graduate student with the Department of Chemistry, the Chemistry Peer Mentoring Program aims at helping first-year undergraduate and first-year transfer students majoring in chemistry transition into college life at UC Davis. The goal is to provide new incoming students, especially first-generation and underrepresented minorities, with guidance and resources to have a successful first year directly from their peers! The year-long mentorship will consist of weekly one-on-one meetings with mentees and mentors and monthly community building meetings along with other individually planned mentor-mentee activities. Long-term involvement is intended to build a strong peer network among all mentors and mentees to help them thrive in UC Davis academics, chemistry, and social life.

 

About the Program

CPMP LogoFirst-year students are encouraged to apply for the program and will be matched with their individual mentor. Mentors will be upper-class chemistry majors with preference given to more senior students. Mentees will be enrolled in a one-unit course in the Fall Quarter and will complete 20 total hours with CPMP (10 hours from individual mentor-mentee meetings and 10 hours from community building events). The course is optional for mentors. Mentors are still expected to meet regularly with their mentees for the remaining quarters (average 7 hours in Winter and 5 hours in Spring). The role of a mentor includes, but is not limited to: 

  • Making mentees feel welcome to their new college community.
  • Providing mentees with informal advice on academic questions like classes, professors, study tips, time management, etc.
  • Actively listening to mentees’ issues, worries, challenges, etc. and setting goals to overcome them.
  • Encouraging mentees to try new things in college like joining ACS Chemistry Club or trying research.
  • Keeping mentees updated on academic and social events, research opportunities, internships, scholarships, study abroad, etc.
  • Referring mentees to further resources such as Peer Advisors, Undergraduate Program coordinators, Professors, Tutors, TAs, Deans, etc.
  • Supporting mentees in general with their college transition.

It is up to the mentor and mentee to decide how they want their meetings to go. Ideas include getting meals together, grabbing a coffee between classes, meeting at the library, exploring gems in the city together, and more!

 

Information for Mentees

This year-long mentorship connects you with a senior chemistry major to help you navigate through your new life at UC Davis from academics, chemistry outreach, extracurricular activities, social life, and more. As a participant of our program, you will be enrolled in a course for one unit of credit in the Fall Quarter. For 20 hours during the quarter, you will participate in a mix of community building events and individual mentor meetings catered to helping you. 

Students entering their first year at UC Davis, including transfers, and are enrolled as a chemistry major are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to underrepresented minorities and/or first-generation majors in chemistry. 

To become a mentee with the Chemistry Peer Mentor Program, please complete the following with your UC Davis email: CPMP Mentee Application.  

Space is limited to 20-25 mentees for the upcoming 2024-25 program. Don't miss this unique opportunity to be a part of an amazing, supportive community. If you have further questions about the program, please contact our Program Coordinator, Natalie Dugan (nmdugan@ucdavis.edu).

 

Information for Mentors

Students completing upper-division study and who show interest in the program should apply to be a mentor. Mentors must be a chemistry major, possess a UC GPA of 2.50 or higher, be in good academic standing, and be on campus (at minimum) Fall and Winter Quarter. When accepted, mentors will attend a mandatory info session to better prepare themselves for the mentorship. Mentors are to provide support for their mentees. They are not to serve as major advisors or tutors in Chemistry.

The role of a mentor includes, but is not limited to:

  • Making your mentee (first-year students) feel welcome to their new college community.
  • Actively listening to your mentee's issues, worries, challenges, etc. and trying to set a goal to overcome it.
  • Encouraging your mentee to try new things in college like joining the ACS Chemistry Club or trying research.
  • Keeping your mentee updated on academic and social events, research opportunities, scholarships, study abroad, etc.
  • Referring your mentee to more resources such as the staff and peer advisors, professors, tutors, Deans, etc.
  • Supporting your mentee in general with their college transition. 

The Chemistry Peer Mentor application will become available in Spring of 2024. 

Space is limited to 20-25 mentors for the upcoming 2024-25 program. If you have further questions about the program, please contact our Program Coordinator, Natalie Dugan (nmdugan@ucdavis.edu).

 

Contact Us

Please keep a lookout for emails regarding mentor and mentee applications! If you have further questions about our program, please contact our Program Coordinators, Natalie Dugan (nmdugan@ucdavis.edu). Also, check us out on Instagram!