This program is designed to provide support to first-year majors in the Math Department, ensuring that they thrive during the transition to college.
Each participant...
will be placed in a small mentoring group led by an upper class Math or SDS major. The small groups will meet weekly during the first half of fall semester, then bi-weekly for the rest of the academic year, to discuss topics relevant to growing and thriving in college and beyond. Mentees will also periodically meet one-on-one with their mentor.
Large group sessions, which may include talks by professors or professionals, social events, or workshops on academic skills, will be held several times each semester.
Mentor Benefits
Mentors are paid a stipend that is disbursed in two installments per semester throughout the academic year. The stipend amount is determined based on the expected amount of work at the university wage for student workers. Mentorship is a wonderful addition to a resume, showing leadership and communication skills, among others.
Mentors also get access to large group sessions that can be beneficial to them as well as their mentees. (Examples: test anxiety workshop, mathematical problem solving talk, fall picnic)
How to Get Involved
First-years will be matched with a mentor based on your major(s) and career interests, as far as possible. Be on the lookout for email from the Math Center with details about the program. If you do not see this email within the first week of the fall semester, email math-mcenter@arizona.edu to inquire.
If you are a Math, SDS, or DS major with at least junior standing, we want you to mentor your peers who are starting their university careers! We try to hire a group of mentors who have a mix of interests and experiences: transfer students or those who entered the university as freshmen; majors in SDS and several different emphases for Math and DS; and students with various second majors or minors.
Good mentors are students who
- are in good academic standing (at least 2.0 GPA) and taking upper-level math or SDS classes (beyond DATA 363 or MATH 323)
- have a desire to connect with their peers and provide a supportive presence in their transition to university
- are involved in clubs, organizations, or projects within the math department or the university
- can encourage students to take advantage of university resources
- have struggled or "failed," and can empathize with mentees as well as sharing strategies or perspectives for persistence
- can commit to meeting their mentees weekly at first, then bi-weekly throughout the academic year, as well as participating in occasional large group events
Applying
Applications are usually due a few weeks before the start of the Fall semester. Please contact math-mcenter@arizona.edu with any question.
