Spring 2024 Hours: M-F 9am-5pm

LGBTQ+ Peer Mentoring Program

Mission

Mason’s LGBTQ+ Peer Mentoring Program promotes the personal and academic success, health, and well-being of its queer, trans, non-binary, LGBTQ+, and/or questioning student participants. 

If you are interested in being paired with one of our LGBTQ+ Peer Mentors in Spring 2024, let us know here: Mentee Interest Form (if you can access this form, then we are still accepting mentees)

Read on for more information about the program and please direct any questions you might have to the LGBTQ+ Resources Center at lgbtq@gmu.edu!

Peer Mentors have 

  • Completed at least one semester at the university by the start of the Spring 2024 semester 
  • Been involved in student leadership, community, or mentoring previously 
  • Interest in supporting the growth of LGBTQ+ community at Mason 
  • Current undergraduate or graduate student status at Mason 
  • 2.5 GPA or higher 

Peer Mentors will 

  • Serve as a Peer Mentor to no more than three mentees during the Spring 2024 semester 
  • Develop mutual expectations for communication and engagement with each mentee  
  • Attend LGBTQ+ Peer Mentoring Program Mentor Training and ALL LGBTQ+ Peer Mentoring Program events 
  • Receive a $300 scholarship for Spring 2024
  • Meet with each of their mentees three times over the course of the semester 
  • Meet with the GPA and/or Associate Director of the LGBTQ+ Resources Center halfway through the semester 
  • Fill out reporting form directly after each of their meetings (up to nine total per semester) 
  • Keep up regular communication with their mentees (as defined by the mutual expectations set between each mentor and mentee pairing) throughout the Spring 2024 semester 
  • Collaborate with the LGBTQ+ Resources Center professional staff to make referrals and navigate any crisis situations 

Mentor Learning Outcomes 

  • Express how personal and social identities show up in varying contexts  
  • Understand identity development theories for LGBTQ+ individuals  
  • Identify best practices for supporting LGBTQ+ peers  
  • Facilitate effective communication strategies to navigate a university setting in their mentees  
  • Co-create a support network of peers, faculty, and staff at Mason

Mentees are 

  • New to LGBTQ+ communities at Mason in some way (could be first year, transfer, contemporary, and/or just starting to explore their own gender and sexual identities)! 
  • Looking for connection and community around LGBTQ+ identities and experiences 
  • Current undergraduate or graduate students at Mason by Spring 2024

Mentees will 

  • Develop mutual expectations for communication and engagement with their mentor  
  • Attend ALL LGBTQ+ Peer Mentoring Program events 
  • Meet with their mentor three times over the course of the semester 
  • Keep up regular communication with their mentor (as defined by the mutual expectations set between each mentor and mentee pairing) throughout the Spring 2024 semester 
  • Reach out to the LGBTQ+ Resources Center staff with any questions or issues with the program 

Mentee Learning Outcomes  

  • Express how personal and social identities show up in varying contexts 
  • Locate community resources to support personal and academic well-being 
  • Articulate goals for their time at Mason and beyond 
  • Practice effective communication strategies to navigate a university setting 
  • Identify a support network of peers, faculty, and staff at Mason 

Program Dates (required attendance to participate)

  • (Peer Mentor Only Training: first week of classes) 
  • Program Kick-off: Friday, January 26th 5-7pm
  • Rollerblading off Campus: Friday, February 9th 5-7pm
  • Board Game Night: Thursday, February 29th 5-7pm
  • Cat Cafe (or alternative for those who are allergic): Friday, April 12th 5-7pm
  • Program Closing: Friday, May 3rd 5-7pm