Expanding Mentorship Opportunities to Summer Bridge Students

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We are excited to announce a new collaboration designed to broaden mentorship opportunities for both mentors and mentees at UC San Diego.

Partnering Impactful Programs

This new partnership between OASIS' Summer Bridge program and the Online Student Experience's Mentor Collective marks a significant step in expanding support for our first-year students, particularly those who are first-generation university students. By leveraging the strengths and expertise of both programs, we are enhancing the support system available to Summer Bridge-eligible students who may not have participated in Summer Bridge. This collaboration will ensure that a wider network of students is connected to the university community.

We remain committed to fostering a seamless transition to UC San Diego for first-year students by promoting a sense of belonging, building social capital, and increasing confidence. Through this partnership, students will have more opportunities for growth, engagement, and success, making a lasting impact on their academic and personal journeys at UC San Diego.

Additional Benefits

Personalized Support
Summer Bridge students will be provided peer mentoring through the Mentor Collective program, where they will be paired with mentors who share their interests, offering personalized guidance and additional support.
Summer and Beyond
Summer Bridge Peer Mentors will continue to connect with Summer Bridge students throughout the academic year, providing tailored meetings and programs focused on academic, personal, and social well-being. Peer mentors and students will remain a part of the Summer Bridge cohort and have multiple ways to engage with one another.
Collaborating to Address Needs
This collaboration strengthens our ability to work together on identifying students' needs and making timely, appropriate referrals, ensuring comprehensive support throughout their UC San Diego experience.

Connecting More Students

By extending mentorship through this partnership, we are connecting more Summer Bridge-eligible students to the resources and community of UC San Diego, ensuring that students who may not have benefited from Summer Bridge experience still receive the guidance and support they need to thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions about the Summer Bridge Mentorship Partnership

Q1: Will Summer Bridge continue to offer mentoring for participants?

Yes, peer mentoring will remain a cornerstone of the Summer Bridge experience and be available to all participants throughout their first year at UC San Diego. During the academic year, this mentoring will be led through a partnership with Mentor Collective.

Q2: Will the Summer Bridge mentors continue to be employed?

Yes, Summer Bridge peer mentors will have continued employment throughout the academic year. Their time will be divided between offering 1:1 peer mentoring through Mentor Collective and work with the Summer Bridge professional team to host small group discussions on key first-year success topics for Summer Bridge students.

Q3: What are the benefits of the partnership for the mentorship component?

Partnering with Mentor Collective allows Summer Bridge students to continue to receive personalized peer mentoring. Through a matching process based on questionnaire responses from mentors and mentees, students are paired with mentors who share similar interests, goals, or experiences beyond Summer Bridge. This approach expands students' peer networks and offers additional support during their first year at UC San Diego.

Q4: What will Summer Bridge mentoring look like for the future?

The collaboration with Mentor Collective helps enhance student support programs for UC San Diego's growing first-generation student population. Ongoing evaluation and assessment will ensure that the partnership continues to meet student needs and effectively integrates the strengths of both Mentor Collective and Summer Bridge.

Q5: What are opportunities for Summer Bridge alumni to get involved with mentoring?

Summer Bridge alumni currently enrolled at UC San Diego are encouraged to become mentors through the Mentor Collective program. It’s a valuable opportunity to provide guidance and support to first-year students navigating the campus.

Q6: Can students continue to connect with their Summer Bridge mentor?

Yes, through the tailored discussions Summer Bridge peer mentors will continue to have opportunities to connect with their mentees. And as mentor/mentee relationships evolve they are welcome to keep in touch with their mentee just as they would with other campus peers.

Q7: What training does Mentor Collective provide to mentors?

Mentors receive training before they begin their mentor role and are provided development opportunities throughout the year to ensure they are well-prepared to support their mentees.

Q8: Can students who did not attend Summer Bridge also benefit from Mentor Collective?

Yes, Mentor Collective serves all first-year students at UC San Diego. Students interested in can register on the Mentor Collective website.

Questions?

Summer Bridge

Please contact us for questions or more information about Summer Bridge.

summerbridge@ucsd.edu

Mentor Collective

Please contact us for questions or more information about Mentor Collective.

mentoring@ucsd.edu