Why get involved in the University Minority Mentor Program?
UMMP is designed to support students in their transition to the University of Florida and to offer guidance as students begin to define their goals and strive for academic success. This objective is achieved through active participation in one-on-one interactions between mentors and mentees, small group meetings with mentoring clusters, and attendance at cultural events. The University provides this mentoring service to first generation minority students as a concrete manifestation of its commitment to the institutional goal of improving the academic performance and quality of life for all students.
You may wish to participate in UMMP for the following reasons:
- Because students will be in touch with people who have already been through the rigors of college. Faculty/Staff mentors constitute a rich fund of experience and skill from which the student mentees can draw invaluable lessons.
- To be a part of a supportive and nurturing environment that promotes your personal and intellectual development.
- To have a safe place to seek assistance with academic and personal concerns.
- Because faculty/staff mentors create a sharing and informative environment to support students and encourage participation in academic and social campus activities.
- To be connected to with an individual who cares about you and is familiar with University traditions, policies, activities, and procedures.
- To have someone at the University who is willing to assist you in finding research, employment, and internship opportunities.
- To create a relationship with a faculty/staff member who can later serve as an academic or professional reference.
Student mentees are expected to attend scheduled UMMP programs and meetings (such as the opening program and reception), as well as to keep in regular contact with their peer and faculty/staff mentors.
For further information contact:
Tamara Cohen
Assistant Dean and Director of Multicultural and Diversity Affairs
ummp@dso.ufl.edu
Peabody Hall
PO Box 114075
Gainesville, Florida 32611
Phone (352) 392-1261 ext.222
Fax (352) 392-5566
www.dso.ufl.edu/multicultural/ummp/