The First-Generation Mentorship Program (FGMP) was formed by the Residential Education Department to assist first-generation college students living on campus navigate their college experience while creating a safe space to explore their identity as first-generation students, receive assistance to overcome their unique challenges, and prepare them for a brighter future. Residents admitted to the program as mentees are paired with UCR faculty, staff, or alumni mentors. 

Our mission for FGMP is to help mentees build interpersonal relationships among peers, faculty and staff, while providing opportunities for personal, professional, and academic advancement. 
Check out the University of California's #FirstGen  or UCR's First Generation to learn more about what it means to be a “First-Generation in College” student!   

First-Generation Mentorship Program Mentees will be able to: 

• Connect with at least three campus offices/resources, faculty, students, or staff that also identify as first-generation.   
• Students will be able to explore co-curricular opportunities that enhance their collegiate experience.  
• Students will develop skills to overcome academic challenges so they can achieve their scholarly goals.  
• Students will be able to explore learning experiences that will enhance their personal and professional development.   

As a mentee, this is a year-long commitment of participation and engagement in the program from September 2025 to May 2026. It is a commitment that will provide you tools, resources, community, and skills to have a successful college experience. 
 
Prospective Mentors: We are accepting UCR faculty, staff, and alumni who can attend in-person expectations as mentors to UCR student mentees. For all mentor expectations and requirements, please navigate to the Mentor Application below. 

Prospective Mentees: If you live in one of the following Residential Education communities during the 2025-2026 Academic Year, then you can apply to be a part of this program: 

• Aberdeen-Inverness Residence Hall
• Dundee Residence Hall
• Lothian Residence Halls
• Pentland Hills Residence Halls
• Bannockburn Campus Apartments
• Falkirk Campus Apartments
• Glen Mor Campus Apartments
• North District 2 Campus Apartments
• Oban Family Housing
• Plaza Campus Apartments
• Stonehaven Campus Apartments

2025-2026 FGMP Mentee expectations and requirements (including those opting into the FGMP course) include: 

• Commit to be a mentee for the duration of the program, September 2025 to May 2026 
• Attend the half-day FGMP Orientation on Saturday, September 27 
• Committing approximately three hours per week as a mentee by doing the following: 

1. Check-in with your mentor via email, phone, or Zoom once weekly. The length of this check-in is flexible and at the Mentor/Mentee discretion.
2. Meet in-person with your mentor at least once per month. Mentors and Mentees may decide together to meet more often, if desired.
3. Attend an event on your own (at least one per month) and with your mentor (at least one per quarter). Events must meet an FGMP learning outcome and can be hosted by: FGMP, Residential Education, any department or college on campus or student clubs/organizations.
4. Visit and utilize a new campus resource once per month.
5. Complete short Progress Reports monthly.

Optional: FGMP Course 
Mentees also have the option of receiving academic credit by enrolling in FGMP as a course. There are no additional requirements, however Mentees must participate and complete the FGMP Mentee expectations and requirements (listed below) to receive a passing grade. The course is two units per quarter, graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC). Mentees can choose to enroll in the course for credit Fall, Winter, and/or Spring quarter. The FGMP Committee will reach out to accepted Mentees in September to get formal sign-ups for the course and Mentees are then manually enrolled in the course.

Mentee applicants can indicate interest in this via the application below.

Opting out of the optional course will not negatively impact your FGMP application.

If you are interested, we advise you check with your advisor that this type of course does not interfere with your course planning. 

Applications for the 2025 - 2026 academic year are open during the dates below: 

• Mentors: June 1 - August 31 

• Mentees: July 1 - August 31 

We hope you choose to apply! 

If you have any questions about FGMP, please reach out to Kelsey Shook for more details.