Queer & Trans Mentorship Program
The Center for Gender Equity at Pacific University is proud to offer a new Queer & Trans Mentorship Program for LGBTQ+ students attending Pacific University.
Mission
The Queer & Trans Mentorship Program (QTMP) aims to provide LGBTQ+ students with the holistic tools they need to achieve their personal, professional, and academic goals resulting in student retention and graduation. The mentors support mentees through many facets of LGBTQ+ identity development as well as student and professional development. This is accomplished through informal one-on-one conversations, wherein support and information are provided as well as ongoing trainings and social gatherings offered throughout the academic year. Mentors serve as positive, professional role models and provide resources and information as needed. Mentors are typically LGBTQ+ Pacific University staff and faculty, although exceptions can made for community members if a mentee is in need of a mentor with a specific skill set, professional background, or lived experience. Students, staff, and faculty from the Pacific community are welcome to participate in the QT Mentorship Program, but most trainings and socials will take place at the Forest Grove campus where the program is operated from.
The goals of the Queer and Trans Mentorship Program are:
- To foster mentoring relationships between students and faculty/staff
- To assist in retaining LGBTQ+ students so that they persist to graduation
- To provide support for students who are in the process of coming out, or who feel they are currently unable to come out in their respective fields of study
- To expose students to the diverse professional lives and opportunities of Queer and Trans members of Pacific University and broader Oregon community
- To provide helpful resources to students as they explore issues related to professional development
- To help connect students to the larger LGBTQ+ community, both at Pacific and the greater Portland area
- To increase visibility of Queer and Trans professionals at Pacific University
Learning Outcomes for Mentees
- Develop a strong(er) sense of their sexual identity, gender identity, and/or gender expression.
- Make substantial progress on their academic goals
- Accomplish at least two personal goals while in the program
- Be able to identify at least two LGBTQ+ supportive people or resources at Pacific University by the end of the academic year
Mentees will be expected to:
- Commit to the mentoring relationship and program for the entire academic year, End of October - QTMP Kick off
- Meet with mentors once per month, ideally twice
- Attend social gathering in February
- Attend End of Year Celebration in May
- Be punctual for scheduled meetings with the mentor
- Not engage in a sexual or romantic relationship with any mentors in the QTMP
- Not engage in alcohol or drug use with any mentors in the QTMP
- Provide feedback to the CGE on the mentorship program at the end of Spring term
- Contact the CGE if any concerns develop
Apply here to become a QT Mentee
Mentors will be expected to:
- Meet with your mentee in person at least 2 hours once per month. You will receive $15 per month for Telvet or Starbucks Coffee shops
- Attend Queer and Trans Mentorship Program trainings and social gatherings at least once per term
- Commit to the mentoring relationship and program for the 2021/22 academic year
- Mid-October - Mentor training
- End of October - QTMP Kick off
- Monthly - meet with mentees once per month, ideally twice
- Attend social gathering in February
- Attend End of Year Celebration in May
- Respect the degree of outness desired by your mentee
- Respect confidentiality
- Develop a deeper understanding on how intersecting identities impact students
- Not engage in a sexual or romantic relationship with any mentees in the QTMP
- Not engage in alcohol or drug use with any mentees in the QTMP
- Serve as a resource to your mentee
- Report any disclosures of self harm, suicidal ideation, or sexual or domestic violence to the CGE Coordinator
- Attend mentor training
- Maintain strong boundaries with mentees
- Provide feedback to the CGE in Spring term
- Contact the CGE if you have any concerns
Apply here to become a QT Mentor
How the Program Works
Mentor/Mentee Match-Up: Mentors and Mentees are matched based on interviews, personality traits, life experiences, and salient identities. The CGE Director supervises each pair and conducts ongoing participant training and social opportunities to further strengthen the longevity and outcome of the match.
Group/Mentor-Mentee Activities: All new and returning mentors go through an extensive group training after their interview process at the beginning of the year. After this training, mentors and mentees are expected to meet at least once per month and attend a quarterly training/social gathering.
Getting Together: Mentors are asked to take the initiative to email or call their mentee to schedule the first meeting. Meetings should always take place in a public area and never at someone's home. Once you and your mentee are comfortable with one another, you are encouraged to seek out community and campus activities that support your mentee’s goals and both of your personal interests. You will receive $15 per month for your choice of coffee shop.
Reporting: Mentors are asked to keep a log of their meetings with mentees. Please track the meeting date, time, location, duration, and how the activity supports your mentee’s goals.
Mentoring Philosophy: Mentoring is needed to help Queer and Trans students navigate societal and internalized homophobia, heterosexism, and frequent marginalization. Mentors will focus on achieving agreed upon professional and academic goals with their mentees. Mentors are role models, guides, misconception challengers, motivators, and door openers.