How to Participate

For Alumni + Friends

Domestic Mentor Program (DMP)

The domestic mentor program serves students in all Humphrey degree programs who are interested in domestic policy or planning issues by matching them with local mentors in Minnesota. If you are interested in being a domestic mentor, visit the mentor program enrollment page for application instructions and forms.

Global Mentor Program (GMP)

The global mentor program connects mentors doing international work with second year Humphrey students who hope develop international careers themselves. Global mentors can be working anywhere in the world. They will largely connect with their protégés via email, Skype and other distance technologies.

If you are interested in being a global mentor, go to the GMP enrollment page for application instructions and forms.

For Students

First year students and advanced students who have not previously participated may apply for the Domestic Mentor Program (DMP) during the summer enrollment period. The program is open to any Humphrey student who would benefit from a local mentor focused on domestic policy/planning.

Second year (or more advanced) students whose programs focus on international issues may apply for the Global Mentor Program (GMP) during the summer enrollment period. Available spaces are limited. [Note: Students may participate in the DMP in their first year and the GMP subsequently if their academic focus is appropriate.]

Students review a list of sample mentors and identify possible mentors they feel would be the best match for their interests and state why they feel these matches would be helpful.

There is no guarantee that a student will be matched with one of these people, but if the Alumni Mentor Committee can’t assign one of those mentors, committee members will find another mentor in the same field. Student preferences are used to guide the committee in the matching process.

Domestic Mentor Program Student Application Form

Global Mentor Program Student Application Form

The Mentor Matching Committee and Mentor Program staff match students with mentors from the existing pool and recruit additional mentors for specific student needs. Students and mentors are notified of their matches in October. For the DMP, kickoff events will officially begin the program in late October. For the GMP, mentees are asked to contact their mentors individually to begin what (for most pairs) will be a distance conversation. The programs both end in May, with a final wrap-up event in late April.

Sample Mentor Biographies

Select one of the links below to review sample biographies of mentors in the designated category. These documents are password protected. If you need the user ID and password, please contact Jane Vega at vegax004@umn.edu.

Domestic Mentor Biographies