Our L&S Peer MAP mentors focus on providing the three types of support that improve mentee's college experience and level of success:

• Guiding students to resources
• Modeling successful student behavior
• Helping students to create connection to community

Our overall goal is to improve our mentee's sense of belonging, academic performance, and resourcefulness.

How Does the L&S Peer MAP Program Work?

• In the Spring Quarter, new students are invited to join as mentees at the same time that we recruit new mentors (we also hope to retain current mentors who are not graduating).
• We survey mentees for their interests and preferences and work to match them with mentors who have commonalities in order to facilitate a quick and helpful connection.
• During the summer prior to arrival, we ask mentors to build those relationships virtually so mentees can start getting important questions answered and build their comfort before they ever arrive on campus.
• After school starts in the Fall Quarter, it is up to mentees to decide how much help they need, while we continue to push out important information to them through our mentors.

How to Become a Mentor

Every year, we aim to conduct recruitment for new mentors by mid-Spring Quarter. Students must have completed at least one full year on campus and have a major within the College of Letters and Science to be considered. 

Once selected, we guide mentors through an online training program in mentorship and coaching, and then start building the mentor community with an on-campus retreat in the Fall. We enroll mentors in the L&S Student Leadership Development program and hope that they are as enriched by the entire experience as their mentees. 

Note that this is a volunteer position with the option for compensation based on engagement with the program.

We are currently accepting applications for Peer Mentors for the 2026-2027 academic year! The Priority Deadline of 5/10 has passed, but you can still apply to be considered.

How to Get a Mentor

Toward the end of the Spring Quarter, we will send out an invitation to all eligible students (first-generation first-year or incoming transfer students) who will start at Davis in the Fall. Once enrolled in the program as a mentee, we’ll work as quickly as possible to match each mentee to a mentor by the beginning of the summer. If a mentee does not connect with a mentor, they’re welcome to ask for a rematch.

• What are the eligibility requirements to become a mentor?
• - Students must have completed one full year at UC Davis by the start of the upcoming academic school year.
  - Be pursuing a major within the College of Letters and Science.
  - Be a registered undergraduate student
  - Be in good judicial and academic standing with the University at the time of the application and through employment
  - Graduate no earlier than Spring 2027
  - Be available the entire 2026-2027 academic year.
• What are the eligibility requirements to become a mentee?
• Students must be:
   - A first generation student (meaning neither of your parents have received a four-year college degree)
  - A first year student or incoming transfer student
• When will I be able to apply to become a mentor?
• Recruitment will typically take place in the middle of the Spring Quarter and the application links will be posted here. The application for 2026-2027 Peer Mentors is currently OPEN! The priority deadline of 5/10 has passed but you can still apply.