In the four year of its existence, the MLK Mentoring Program has enriched the lives of many incoming freshmen.  The idea of the program stemmed from literature on retention and graduation of students of color, suggesting that mentors play a vital role in the acclimation process from high school to college life.  Building off from that idea, the MLK Mentoring Program offers an opportunity for upperclassmen to guide and encourage first-year students in their first semester at the University of Minnesota, therefore providing an opportunity for first-year students to get involved and become familiarized with campus life.

Becoming a MLK Mentor

• MLK advisors target students to apply for mentor positions who have attended at least two semesters on the University of Minnesota campus.
• Interested students attend a 30-minute information session and complete the application.
• Prospective mentors go through an interview process
• Hired mentors attend a mandatory retreat in which they will be given program guidelines, University Counseling and Consulting Services (UCCS) information/services, etc.

Becoming a MLK Mentee

• Mentees are recruited during freshman orientation.
• MLK advisors