UCR GSMP Peer Mentor Certification, Level I

Purpose:

1. Provide mentorship and guidance to incoming first-year graduate students to increase graduate student retention by connecting first-year students to campus resources. 

2. Set graduate-level peer mentor standards and guidelines on best practices for mentorship training and skills. 

3. Train and professionalize graduate-level peer mentors with international peer-educator standards needed to be effective peer mentors.

4. Nurture knowledgeable graduate-level peer mentors familiar with academic, social, and wellness best practices at UCR to support incoming graduate students.

5. Create a network of peers and build a sense of community among graduate students at UCR.

Certification and badging required components:

1. Be in good academic standing.

2. Serve a full academic year, from fall through spring.

3. Work an average of 11 hours/month of mentorship, a 7% FTE appointment.

4. Fulfill a minimum of 10 hours of training in mentorship best practices & fundamentals, effective communication, graduate-level learning, university policies & standards, and other supplemental training.

5. Fulfill at least 25 hours of direct mentorship with peer mentees.

6. Receive an evaluation of their mentorship over the year. 

7. Contact the GSMP Specialist or the Director of GradSuccess if a mentee is showing signs of not adjusting to graduate school well or if mentors seem to be having trouble interacting with their mentees.