Marshall Mentor Program

Unique to Thurgood Marshall College, the Marshall Mentor Program is a year-long program providing second-year transfer students the opportunity to work closely with faculty who will share their knowledge and experience in order to better equip students for study at UC San Diego. Faculty mentors are carefully matched with Marshall transfer students in their last year, based on their interests, field of study and educational goals. Originally launched in Fall 2006, the program has served over 650 TMC students.

Applications Open

Applications for this year's program are open through July 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM!

Marshall Mentor Program Application 2024-25

Mission

Marshall College currently supports over 1,800 active transfer students. The mission of the Marshall Mentor Program is to:

increase student interaction with faculty.
equip transfer students with the necessary tools to be academically successful.
provide students exposure to an expert faculty member in their area of study.
build and strengthen leadership skills.
educate students about University resources to assist in assimilating to life on campus and becoming more engaged.

How does the program work?

Open to all currently enrolled Thurgood Marshall College UC San Diego transfer students who started in Fall 2023 who are in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Applications for the program open Spring Quarter of each year.
Students will be invited for a brief interview with staff to discuss their expectations for the program.
Students will be notified of acceptance over the summer prior to the program's start date.
Applicants that are accepted are required to make a commitment to attend all scheduled activities during the academic year and meet all program requirements.
Students are matched with faculty based on major, academic interests and other identified criteria.
Faculty mentors will work with a maximum of three transfer students and may conduct meetings individually as well as in groups.
Mentees must meet with their faculty mentor, a minimum of three times per quarter during fall, winter, and spring.

Calendar of Events

2024-25 Program Calendar:

July 31, 2024: MMP application period closes
August 2024: Student interviews will be scheduled with Provost Leslie Carver
September 2024: Students notified of acceptance status
Mandatory student orientation:
- Wednesday, October 9, 2024- 11:00am-12:00pm HSS 6008
- Thursday, October 10, 2024- 11:00am-12:00pm HSS 6008/Zoom option available
  *Must attend one orientation session
Fall Quarter 2024: Program begins
June 2025: Program ends

Events:

MMP hosts key events during the academic year for all faculty and students participating in the program including mixers, luncheons, special college event receptions, etc. If accepted to the program, keep an eye on your UCSD email for information about MMP specific events!

What is a Faculty Mentor?

A faculty mentor is a professor interested in cultivating vital, academic connections with new Marshall College transfer students. Participating faculty— closely aligned with the student's area of study— will connect with a maximum of three transfer students acting as a guide and a resource throughout the current academic year. Mentors can meet with their students during office hours, over coffee or in their research facilities.

Mentor relationships are a fantastic opportunity to use your talent, knowledge, and ideas to make a difference in a student’s academic growth and development. As a mentor, you will find yourself being a guide, a networking resource and a coach reinforcing positive accomplishments. You have the opportunity to encourage and guide an incoming transfer student in a direction that will enhance their academic career.

If you are interested in serving as a faculty mentor email tmcprovost@ucsd.edu

Faculty mentors benefit from:

full staff support through-out the program.
recognition by Marshall College on the Marshall College website homepage.
visibility to their respective department Chair with a letter from the Marshall College Provost stating his/her. contribution to the program and student population.
participation in Marshall College events through-out the academic year.
a small research stipend.

What is a Student Mentee?

Mentees are newly enrolled Marshall College transfer students who have applied and been accepted into the MMP program. Mentees must be interested and dedicated to establishing and maintaining meaningful connections with UC San Diego faculty members.

Student mentees benefit from:

guidance, direction, advice, and encouragement from an accomplished UC San Diego faculty member in their area of study.
formal and informal networking opportunities.
participation in MMP hosted events throughout the academic year.
full support of a staff representative in the Academic Advising Office, Student Affairs Office and Provost Office.
recognition by Marshall College with a certificate of completion.

“Many of the experiences I had at UCSD stemmed from my participation in the Marshall Mentor Program. I overcame my hesitation and anxiety about applying for the program and was rewarded with the opportunity to speak with a respected faculty member, administrative staff, and the Provost. The program made me, as a transfer student, feel that much more connected to my college." –Trang Nguyen, MMP Participant 2018-2019

The Team

Leslie Carver, Provost
tmcprovost@ucsd.edu

Evelyn Gonzalez, Operations and Program Analyst, Office of the Provost
tmcprovost@ucsd.edu

Michael Gangitano, Academic Advising
Virtual Advising Center

Lizzy Miller, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
tmcstudentaffairs@ucsd.edu

Note - students are NOT automatically admitted into the program as we maintain a max enrollment limit. Students not admitted into the program are encouraged to pursue informal mentoring relationships with faculty and participate in the TMC peer mentor programs.