Supporting Graduate Student Success
In partnership with GSA, the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program aims to connect graduate students with advanced-degree alumni. Being a graduate student is a unique experience. From managing the dissertation process, to balancing projects and personal commitments, to navigating faculty relationships, we know that the mentor relationship with an advanced degree alumni can be invaluable.
Alumni
You have the opportunity to share your professional and personal experience and expertise with current UCLA graduate students. Whether you share the same program or are in an industry of interest, you can make a lasting impact on a graduate student who needs your help. This mentorship is not focused on getting students a job, but rather on sharing tools and resources that you’ve employed throughout your professional journey. Graduate students can benefit greatly by connecting with you and learning your story.
Graduate Students
You have exclusive access to a robust network of advanced degree alumni who are eager and willing to meet you and share their wisdom and advice about life beyond UCLA. Now is the time to create connections and nurture them. You can ask questions, get relevant advice and guidance, and prepare yourself for opportunities through regular meetings with a mentor. Select a mentor who shares your degree or has a similar industry interest, and put in the work to nurture the relationship with your mentor.
About the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program
The UCLA Alumni Mentor Program enables alumni from all over the globe to share their professional and personal experience and expertise with current UCLA graduate students.
As an alumni mentor for a current UCLA graduate student, you will have the opportunity to provide student(s) with academic guidance, career advice and personal development. We encourage mentors and students to connect on a regular basis (e.g., by phone, video conference or email). However, the frequency and form of communication are things you both can determine.
Alumni all over the world are invited to be part of this program. Whether you are in Los Angeles or across the globe, you can make a difference and may even be closer to a student than you imagine!
Key Dates and Resources — 2022–23
Any mentorship pairings made during the 2022-2023 academic year commit you to one another until June 2023.
Please click here for resources for mentors of graduate students.
If you have questions, please contact alumnimentor@alumni.ucla.edu.
For more information, see the FAQs
How do I participate?
How will a mentor match be made?
Mentoring Graduate Students Webinar:
About the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program
As a UCLA graduate student, you have exclusive access to a robust network of alumni who are eager and willing to meet you and share their wisdom and advice about life beyond UCLA.
The UCLA Alumni Mentor Program is a unique opportunity for you to form meaningful and lasting relationships with advanced degree alumni that will extend beyond campus walls. As a program participant, you’ll have a chance to request a mentor to assist you with academic guidance, career advice and personal development. This program is a student-initiated mentorship program, where you request mentorship from the alumni you are most interested in. Once you are accepted by your mentor, you cultivate and nurture the relationship. We encourage mentors and students to connect on a regular basis (e.g., by phone, video conference or email). However, the frequency and form of communication are things you both can determine.
Key Dates and Resources — 2022–23
Any mentorship pairings made during the 2022-2023 academic year commit you to one another until June 2023.
Please click here for resources for graduate student participants.
If you have questions, please contact alumnimentor@alumni.ucla.edu.
For more information, see the FAQs
How do I participate?
If your requested mentor confirms, you are officially part of the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program. Don’t hesitate to start connecting as soon as you are approved! You can refer to our online Welcome Packet to get started with your mentor.
Graduate Student Information Session:

Dani de Jesus ’00
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Political Science
Producer, Alejandro Films

Amy Than
Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience Candidate