Students and mentors are matched based on mutual interests and mentors' expertise. The mentor-student relationship is informal with monthly contact by phone, email, or in-person. It is also a great way for alumni and friends to connect with the school as well as current and future professionals in their field. Please read the expectations below to determine if you will be able to make the commitments needed to make the mentoring relationship a success.

Guidelines for the Mentor / Student Relationship:

1. Attendance at the Mentor Kick-Off event is highly recommended. This provides an opportunity to meet your student and other mentors and to learn more about the program. We recognize that some mentors have conferences or schedules that prevent their attendance. Please arrange to meet individually with your student if you are unable to attend the Kick-Off event.

2. Meet or communicate with your student once a month or as determined by the goals you set together.

3. When you meet your student, establish goals for the mentor relationship. Agree how often you plan to get together and discuss who will assume responsibility for arranging the meetings (which could be a shared responsibility). Because both mentors and graduate students have busy schedules, plan future meetings each time you meet.

4. Determine early in the year if your student is interested in job shadowing you or one of your colleagues. Attempt to set up shadowing as early in the year as possible.

5. Contact your student and the Mentor Program (612-626-5536) if circumstances require you to discontinue your participation or if your student has not maintained contact.

6. The mentor relationship should comply with the professional code of conduct. Please return phone calls and email correspondence in a timely fashion.

7. Complete program evaluations when appropriate.

Please Note: The goal of the program is to expose graduate students to personal experiences in the field of public health and to establish professional relationships between students and mentors. Although a student's participation may lead to a possible internship or field experience, this is not an expectation of the mentor program.

By completing this form, I indicate my willingness to mentor a public health student for the 2009-10 academic year (from October 2009 through April 2010). I have read the above guidelines and understand my responsibilities as a mentor. I understand that I will receive more information about the student in October prior to the Mentor Kick-Off event.