Peer Mentoring Program

The Pride Center Peer Mentoring Program (PCPMP) partners incoming, transfer, and younger Volunteers with older students in order to connect them to the LGBTQ+ and ally community, feel more knowledgeable about campus resources, and transition successfully to college life at Rocky Top.

Are you looking to:

Make new friends and have fun at free events
Develop your leadership skills
Get to know Knoxville and the LGBTQ+ community
Utilize all the resources that UT has to offer you as a Volunteer

You’ve come to the right place! Check out this video below for a brief rundown of the program for both mentors and mentees. If you have any questions or concerns, please get in contact with us.

Interested in being a mentee?

We are currently accepting mentee applications for the 2023-2024 academic year! The application deadline is Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Learning Goals

Through participating in the Pride Center Peer Mentoring Program, it is our goal for mentees to:

Achieve a sense of or become more confident in their identity.
Develop a sense of belonging, loyalty and institutional affinity
Develop meaningful interpersonal relationships
Be able to identify and utilize campus resources

Mentee Expectations

Mentees are expected to:

Meet with your mentor at least once a month. Mentees and mentors will be matched through a follow-up questionnaire focused on academic colleges, hobbies and personal interests, and what the mentee is looking for out of a mentor
Attend at least two campus events together per academic year. The mentors and mentees decide on the events together. We strongly encourage but do not require at least one event to be LGBTQ+ focused
Attend the formalized PCPMP events such as the Meet and Greet and End of Semester Celebration
(most importantly) Have fun with their mentor

23-24 Mentee Application

Please fill out every field fully. If you do not receive a confirmation email, we did not receive your application.

PCPMP - Mentee Interest Form - 2023

This form is for students to express their interest to be mentees in the 2023-2024 Pride Center Peer Mentoring Program.

Name*
First Last
This is the name that you want us to call you. It does not have to be your legal name/your university recognized name.
Your Pronouns*

Examples: she/her/hers, they/them/theirs, he/him/his, etc.
Your UTK Email Address*
Your Phone Number*
Year of Study*

(e.g., First Year Undergraduate; Fifth Year Undergraduate; Second Year Law Student; Fourth Year Graduate Student)
Program of Study*

(e.g., Undecided, Anthropology, Law, etc.)
Please describe your gender identity and sexual orientation*

(e.g., queer man; gay trans woman; genderqueer asexual; prefer not to answer)
Are there any other identities you would like to share?*

Such as your race, first-generation status, or anything else. You do not have to disclose other identities.
Why are you interested in becoming a mentee?*
What are you hoping to get out of this experience?*
What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you? Why are they important?*
What are your hobbies/interests/extracurriculars? What do you like to do for fun? What are hobbies/activities you have always been interested in trying?*
Is there anything you would like us to know about you in advance in order to work with you and serve you more effectively and respectfully?*
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Interested in being a mentor?

We are currently accepting mentor applications for the 2023-2024 academic year! The application deadline is Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Learning Goals

Through participating in the Pride Center Peer Mentoring Program, it is our goal that mentors will:

Contribute to a healthy, sustainable campus and community
Develop a sense of belonging, loyalty and institutional affinity
Develop meaningful interpersonal relationships
Lead with integrity

Mentor Expectations

Mentors should:

Be friendly, kind, compassionate, and respectful. We are looking for students that are excited to guide and support newer students. This may include discussions of identity and/or other sensitive topics, so to-be mentors should have a firm grasp on privacy and confidentiality
Be able to serve as a resource for their mentees, including answering questions about campus life, offering tips and advice, connecting with resources and departments, and other peer support. If unable to answer a question, they are proactive about seeking the answer elsewhere. Mentor are given a training on resource information, among other topics, for their benefit
Attend at least two campus events with their mentee per academic year, meet with their mentees at least once per month, meet with the Pride Center graduate assistant for monthly check-ins, and respond to any required communications
Remain in good academic and conduct standing
(most importantly) Have fun with their mentee

23-24 Mentor Application

Please fill out every field fully. If you do not receive a confirmation email, we did not receive your application.

PCPMP - Mentor Interest Form - 2023

This form is for students to express their interest to be mentors in the 2023-2024 Pride Center Peer Mentoring Program.

Name*
First Last
This is the name that you want us to call you. It does not have to be your legal name/your university recognized name.
Your Pronouns*

Examples: she/her/hers, they/them/theirs, he/him/his, etc.
Your UTK Email Address*
Your Phone Number*
Year of Study*

(e.g., First Year Undergraduate; Fifth Year Undergraduate; Second Year Law Student; Fourth Year Graduate Student)
Program of Study*

(e.g., Undecided, Anthropology, Law, etc.)
Please describe your gender identity and sexual orientation*

(e.g., queer man; gay trans woman; genderqueer asexual; prefer not to answer)
Are there any other identities you would like to share?*

Such as your race, first-generation status, or anything else. You do not have to disclose other identities.
Why are you interested in becoming a mentor? What qualities would make you a successful mentor?*
What are you hoping to get out of this experience?*
What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you? Why are they important?*
What are your hobbies/interests/extracurriculars? What do you like to do for fun? What are hobbies/activities you have always been interested in trying?*
Is there anything you would like us to know about you in advance in order to work with you and serve you more effectively and respectfully?*
Comments
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.