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Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is the Mentoring Program?
2.What is the goal of the Mentoring Program?
4.What is the format of the program?
5.What kinds of things do mentors and mentees/protégés do?
6.What benefits do mentees/protégés receive?
7.What do I get out of being a mentor?
8.How do I join the program as a mentee/protégé?
9.How do I join the program as a mentor?
10.How will I be paired with my mentor?
11.Can I sign up at anytime during the year?
12.When will I know who my mentor is?
13.When will I know who my mentee is?
A: A university-funded program which matches all interested new students (freshmen and transfers) with mentors who serve as role models, advisors, guides, and friends and whose primary function is to help a new Texas State student have a successful first year.
A: The goal of the program is to increase the academic success and retention of new Texas State students.
A: Mentors are students, staff, and faculty who have been at Texas State for at least two long semesters, have a working knowledge of the campus and its various resources, and have the desire to help new Texas State students get adjusted to college life on our campus.
Q4: What is the format of the program?
A: The Mentoring Program is structured to serve the new student populations at Texas State. Freshmen and transfers that complete the Mentee Application are matched with peer mentors, staff or faculty.
Q5: What kinds of things do mentors and mentees/protégés do?
A: Although each mentoring relationship is different, there are a variety of activities for mentees/protégés and mentors. Some go to lunch together; others visit either at the mentor’s home or office; and some go to university events such as football games or theatrical presentations. Mentors have been involved in goal setting for the mentee/protégé, and referring mentees/protégés to campus resources when they cannot help in a situation. Also, the Mentoring Program office offers numerous programs throughout the year, such as, an annual holiday social in December, weekly mentoring sessions, mentoring hours with academic deans, and an End-of- the-Year Recognition Luncheon.
Q6: What benefits do mentees/protégés receive?
A: The greatest benefit of mentoring is that a mentee/protégé has an opportunity to meet and spend time with someone who cares about his/her well-being. It has also been proven that mentored freshmen and transfers have higher GPA’s and stay at Texas State longer than the general student population. It’s also a great way to get involved on campus.
Q7: What do I get out of being a mentor?
A: By assisting a new student to become better acquainted with our campus and by expressing concern about a new student’s well-being, you become a valuable part of the retention initiative of Texas State. You increase the prestige of the university through higher GPAs and higher satisfaction with our campus community. Remember that students with positive experiences will be more likely to make contributions of time and resources as alumni.
Q8: How do I join the program as a mentee/protégé?
A: You may sign up for the program anytime during the school year, but the best time is after you have received your acceptance letter to Texas State. We are also present at Orientation and Paws Preview. You can also obtain an application from this website. All you need to do is fill out a short profile of yourself (Mentee Application), and the Mentoring Program office will contact you when a match is found.
Q9: How do I join the program as a mentor?
A: You may sign up for the program anytime during the school year, but the best time is during the end of the Spring semester. You may contact the VPSA Office for a form to be mailed or emailed to you.
Q10: How will I be paired with my mentor?
A: You tell us about yourself so that we can appropriately match you. We do have places on the Mentee Application for you to fill in whether you would like someone of the same major/academic area of interest, gender, and/or race/ethnicity. You also can choose between a staff, faculty or peer student mentor.
Q11: Can I sign up at anytime during the year?
A: While the most effective mentoring relationships begin as soon as you choose Texas State (and only strengthen as you get to campus), you can sign up anytime during your freshman year or your first year as a transfer student.
Q12: When will I know who my mentor is?
A: Depending on the number of mentors we have in the program, we try to pair you as soon as we have a match. Our ideal pairings come in the Spring or Summer before you get to campus; however, we are not always able to pair everyone immediately. In that case, we advise you to contact the VPSA Office, and a staff member will work with you one-on-one until you can be matched with a mentor.
Q13: When will I know who my mentee is?
A: If you sign up at the end of the Spring semester and you are successfully matched, you will receive information about your mentee in August. If you have not received notice by September 1st , you should contact the VPSA Office.