2016-2017 ACCESS SOCIAL ECOLOGY PROGRAM MENTEE APPLICATION
ACCESS Social Ecology is an innovativeretention and peer mentoring program in the School of Social Ecology at UCIrvine. Launched in Fall 2011, the program promotes academic excellence, leadership development, and community engagementto serve the school’s diverse, first-year and transfer student population. Since 2011, the program has positively impacted nearly 200 mentees and 60 peer mentors. A few former mentees in the program have become peer mentors in the program, while many have pursued on-campus leadership opportunities, while maintaining solid GPAs. Students attest their accomplishments during their first year at UCI and beyond due to their participation in the ACCESS Social Ecology Program.
The ACCESS Social Ecology Program offers many benefits toparticipants (see below).To be eligible, you must be a new student (freshman or transfer) in the School of Social Ecology.
WHAT BENEFITS DO I GET AS A MENTEE?
*Earn 2 units of Social Ecology 198 (P/NP) each quarter.
*Receive mentorship from a trained upper-division student during your first year.
*Develop and expand your peer networkthrough participation in service-learning projects and community-building activities.
*Meet with the program directorthroughout the year to monitor your progress and create an individualized action plan.
*Participate in specialworkshops on topics such as time management, leadership development, campus and community resources, diversity and social justice issues, applying for scholarships, and stress management.Meet and connect with faculty, staff, and administrators who will serve as workshop presenters and facilitators.
*Obtainaccess to the Excellence Lab, a 24-hour study and lounge space in Social Ecology II.
*Explore educational and career goals, especially for those interested in attending graduate or professional school and/or pursuing a career in public service (i.e., education, law, social work).
IF I AM SELECTED, WHAT ARE MY COMMITMENTS TO THIS PROGRAM?
*Stay enrolled in the program during the entire 2016-2017 academic year.Commit up to five hours each week towards your participation in the ACCESS Social Ecology Program. This includes meetings with your peer mentor and attendance at workshops, community-building events, service-learning projects, and leadership development activities.
*Participate in quarterly service-learning projects. Note that service-learning projects may take place on a Saturday during Week 7 or 8 each quarter. The actual date and more details will be communicated to you in advance. Generally, service-learning projects take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., so please plan accordingly.
*Meet with your peer mentoron a weekly basis.
*Meet with the program director throughout the academic year to review your academic progress. More information about scheduling these appointments will be communicated to you at the start of each quarter. You will also be asked to complete an Academic Success Plan each quarter. More information will be shared by your peer mentor.
*Attend at least six workshops and events per quarter. Four of the six workshops you attend must be sponsored by the ACCESS Social Ecology Program.
2016-2017ACCESS SOCIAL ECOLOGY PROGRAM MENTEE APPLICATION
Be sure to carefully read and answer each question as incomplete applications will notbe considered for review. Feel free to attach additional sheet(s) if you need more space.
Last, FirstName: ______Student ID#: ______
UCI E-mail: ______Major(s): ______
Contact Phone Number: ______Freshmanor Transfer (Please circle.)
First-Generation: YES or NO
Low-Income: YES or NO
International: YES or NO
1.Share qualities that you are looking for in a peer mentor.What are you expecting to gain from a mentoring relationship? Feel free to also share something about yourself that might be helpful for us to know so that we can match you with the right peer mentor.
2.What are your future educational and/or career goals?
3.Feel free to share anything else you think we might want to know.