Biology Graduate Peer Mentorship Program

What is the Mentorship program all about?
The Biology Graduate Student mentorship program matches an incoming first year Biology PhD student with an upperclassman mentor. The goal is for mentors to help guide their mentee through the first year of the PhD program by listening to the mentee’s concerns and questions as well as providing another student perspective and opinion.

What is the time commitment for participants of the mentorship program?
* Mentors and mentees will be required to meet monthly for the first year and quarterly thereafter.  They will be treated to coffee on the department at Art of Espresso (details will be provided on how to access this benefit).

*  Attendance at an introductory dinner, this year on Tuesday, September 8th (location TBA) for mentors and mentees to meet.

*  Mentors will be encouraged to attend each Boot Camp happy hour during orientation, on Friday, September 11th and 18th.

*  Mentors will be strongly encouraged to attend the Biology retreat to get to know their mentee at these events.

*  Attendance at two more program-wide social events later in the year will be encouraged for mentors and mentees.  In November, we will have a social event such as a happy hour to encourage discussions about rotation planning and how course work/social life is progressing.  Late in the following April, a second event will be held for mentors and mentees to focus on advising lab choice.

The mentorship program IS...
…a chance to get to know other students in the program and network between the classes
…an informal setting in which to discuss issues relating to the first year of grad school – rotations, classes, choosing a lab, etc.
…an opportunity to make new friends and have fun

The mentorship program is NOT...
…meant to provide official university advice regarding your PhD degree or replace academic advising
…a substitute for medical services or advice
…a substitute for professional mental health services, such as counseling
…meant to provide legal advice

Resources

- If anybody is in immediate medical danger or is a threat to themselves or others – call 911.
- Suicide hotline: 24/7 crisis counseling

English: 1-800-SUICIDE or 1 800 273 TALK
Spanish: 1 888 628 9454

UCSD Student Health – GSHIP medical services 
http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu/
Urgent Care (858) 534-3302
Appointments (858) 534-8089

Counseling and Psychological services at UCSD
- Info and appointments: http://caps.ucsd.edu/
-An Urgent Care Psychologist is available at (858) 534-3755 (weekdays from 8:00am to 4:30pm at the CAPS Central Office located in Galbraith Hall, Room 190 at Revelle College).
- After hours telephone counseling is available for urgent matters by calling CAPS Central Office at (858) 534-3755 and selecting Option 2.

Ombudsman Office at UCSD
http://ombuds.ucsd.edu/about.html

The UCSD Office of the Ombuds provides confidential, neutral, and informal dispute resolution services for the UCSD community.

Departmental Resources

Cathy Pugh
Student Affairs, 1028B Pacific Hall
(858) 534-0181
cpugh@ucsd.edu

Jim Kadonaga
Chair of the Graduate Education Committee
(858)534-4608 or (858) 534-4751
jkadonaga@ucsd.edu

Gabriele Wienhausen
Associate Dean of Education
6213 NSB
(858) 534-3105
gwienhausen@ucsd.edu

Center for Ethics and Spirituality
CES is staffed by lay and professionally-trained leaders representing major religious groups. The staff provides religious/spiritual information, services, education, and non-denominational spiritual and secular counseling to all students regardless of religious affiliation. 201 University Center (located on Myers Drive; building 986 on campus map) (858) 534-2521.

Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center
http://lgbtro.ucsd.edu/home.asp

The LGBT Resource Center at UCSD provides a visible presence on campus and enhances a sense of connection and community among LGBT faculty, staff, students, alumni and the UCSD Community. They feature student groups, LGBT support groups, a newsletter, and numerous events.
Phone: (858)822-3493.

Opportunities

Sceince Outreach at UCSD

 

Peer Mentorship Program Student Committee 2009-2010

Britt Flaherty             blflaher@ucsd.edu
Amanda Herman        abherman@ucsd.edu
Emily Grossman         egrossma@ucsd.edu
Marcy Erb                   merb@ucsd.edu
Tiffany Dunbar           tldunbar@ucsd.edu
Russell DeKelver        russell.dekelver@gmail.com
Tom Suter                  tsuter@ucsd.edu