UC Merced Success Mentor Program

Mark your calendars ✏️🗓️ We will be hosting our Fall Welcome Social on September 5th from 12-2PM in the commuter lounge! Come enjoy some pizza while planting your intentions for the semester with a fun project. 🍕Come meet the coordinator, other Bright Success Center Staff, and some of our lovely SMP mentors!

First tabling session for 2024 new student orientations!✨🦐💙 Thanks to everyone who stopped by today, we will have our table at the rest of the sessions as well!

We just had our end of the year appreciation event for mentors! 💙 Lunch 🍕and then a team-building escape room adventure! 🔐🧩Congratulations to all of our graduates 🎓and to all of our mentors and mentees taking on new experiences! We can’t wait to see what you all do. 💙💛💙💛🦐✨

Need a break? Come do some relaxing painting with us on Monday for our 4th social of the semester. We will have canvases and wooden door signs for you to choose from. Hope to see you there! 🎨🖼️👩🏻‍🎨👨🏽‍🎨

We are hiring! ✨ Do you have what it takes to be a Peer Mentor in the Success Mentor Program? This is a great opportunity to help your fellow Bobcats on their own journeys while in college! Apply by June 1st ✅ If you have questions or would like to connect with current mentors and/or the coordinator, check out our website mentoring.ucmerced.edu for contact info.

☃️BOBCATS!!☃️We invite everyone to our upcoming "Paint and Sip" event on Wednesday, December 6th from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm located in COB 262! Join us as we paint and decorate ornaments with a warm cup of hot chocolate! We hope to see you all there!

✉️BOBCATS!✉️ We invite everyone to our upcoming "Thankful Thoughts" event on Wednesday, November 29th from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm located in COB 262! Join us as we create thank you cards for others like family, friends, professors, etc.

✨ BOBCATS! ✨ Want to learn what internships/fellowships are? Where to apply and how? If so, join us Tuesday, November 28th in Admin 360 from 3:00pm - 4:00 pm for our "Navigating Internships and Fellowships" workshop. We hope to see you there!

🍿BOBCATS!🍿Join SMP for our "Movie/Game Night" social event happening Thursday, November 16th, 2023 from 5 - 7 P.M. in the Commuters Lounge! Come watch a movie and play games to help destress before finals! We hope to see you all there!

🎉 Celebrating 1K Followers with a Giveaway! 🎁 The SMP team would like to thank you all for your amazing support. It's time to give back to two lucky winners! To enter, follow on Instagram, like this post, and tag two friends in the comments down below! Winners will be announced on Friday, November 3rd, 2023!🤩💯

🌟BOBCATS!🌟Want to find ways to effectively study? If so, this is the workshop for you! Join us Tuesday, October 10th at 2:00 p.m. for our "Different Ways to Study" Workshop as we explore all the different studying methods and share our strategies! The workshop will be located in ADMIN 353! We hope to see you there!
What are some ways you like to study? Let us know in the comments below!

⭐️HELLO BOBCATS⭐️ We want to give our wonderful mentors a SPOTLIGHT‼️ This is Alison Tuoyo, she’s a 4th year, double majoring in Human Biology & Psychology! Alison is currently working as an SMP Success Mentor! We asked her a few questions, and here is what she had to say:

-What is your hometown?
Riverside, CA

-Who's your favorite artist?
Q and Daniel Caesar

-Why did you choose to become a mentor?
My decision to become a mentor is driven by my genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. I am excited about the prospect of helping individuals achieve their goals, overcome challenges, and realize their full potential. While I provide guidance and advice, I also learn from the unique perspectives and experiences of those I mentor, which I believe has helped me grow as a person.

-What do you like to do in your free time?
As for what I like/like to do, I love all things entertainment (shows, movies, dramas, music, mangas, reading, Tiktok), I also love to write and I occasionally draw whenever I am in the mood.

Thank you for all of the hard work you do for our mentees! We appreciate you‼️

⭐HELLO BOBCATS⭐ We want to give our wonderful mentors a SPOTLIGHT‼️ This is Christian Boyd, he’s a 2nd year, majoring in Political Science! Christian is currently working as an SMP Success Mentor! We asked him a few questions, and here is what he had to say:

-What is your hometown?
Los Angeles, CA

-Who's your favorite artist?
Jhon Micheal Basquiat

-Why did you choose to become a mentor?
I chose to become a mentor because I greatly appreciated the support and advice my mentor gave me last year. Because of this, I want to give back and offer that same support to a new student to help them thrive and navigate their first year here smoothly.

-What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to read, watch & sports with friends, spend time with family, and play video games.

Thank you for all of the hard work you do for our
mentees! We appreciate you‼️

⭐HELLO BOBCATS⭐ We want to give our wonderful mentors a SPOTLIGHT‼️ This is Celia Jimenez, she’s a 4th year, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Public Health! Celia is currently working as an SMP Success Mentor! We asked her a few questions, and here is what she had to say:

-What is your hometown?
Santa Ana, CA

-Who's your favorite artist?
J. Cole

-Why did you choose to become a mentor?
I chose to be a mentor to help first years have a smooth transition from high school to college understanding that most students have no clue where to start, just like 1 did my first year. Being able to continue this positive chain reaction to my mentees now, being a former mentee myself, to now a mentor helps me share the knowledge and resources I gained throughout the years and help a mentee develop professionally, academically, and personally.

-What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I like to spend time with my loved ones, workout, listen to music, and/or gaze at the sky to watch the pretty sunsets and stars.

Thank you for all of the hard work you do for our mentees! We appreciate you‼️

⭐HELLO BOBCATS⭐ We want to give our wonderful mentors a SPOTLIGHT‼️ This is Favour Nnaji, he’s a 4th year, majoring in Mechanical Engineering! Favour is currently working as an SMP Success Mentor! We asked him a few questions, and here is what he had to say:

-What is your hometown?
Patterson, CA

-Who's your favorite artist?
Kanye West

-Why did you choose to become a mentor?
I have always had a passion for helping those around me and I feel like this position will give me a position to do just that at the highest level!

-What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to work out, cook, and go thrifting!

Thank you for all of the hard work you do for our
mentees! We appreciate you‼️

⭐️HELLO BOBCATS⭐️ We want to give our wonderful mentors a SPOTLIGHT‼️ This is Michela Lopresti, she’s a 2nd year, majoring in Chemistry! Michela is currently working as an SMP Success Mentor! We asked her a few questions, and here is what she had to say:

-What is your hometown?
Modesto, CA

-Who's your favorite artist?
Beyoncé

-Why did you choose to become a mentor?
I chose to be a mentor because I love helping those around me! Having a successful first year in college is vital in whatever path we want to pursue, and being able to help those succeed in their first year is something I'm honored to do.

-What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to listen to music, read, and bake!

Thank you for all of the hard work you do for our mentees! We appreciate you‼️

⭐HELLO BOBCATS⭐ We want to give our wonderful mentors a SPOTLIGHT‼️ This is Simon Burdick-Disney, he’s a 4th year, majoring in Management and Business Economics! Simon is currently working as an SMP Success Mentor! We asked him a few questions, and here is what he had to say:

-What is your hometown?
Los Altos, CA

-Who's your favorite artist?
Pi'erre Bourne

-Why did you choose to become a mentor?
I want to help first-year and transfer students have a smooth transition into a four-year institution and find their place at UC Merced.

-What do you like to do in your free time?
I love producing music, going for runs, and watching the sunset.

Thank you for all of the hard work you do for our
mentees! We appreciate you‼️

⭐HELLO BOBCATS⭐ We want to give our wonderful mentors a SPOTLIGHT‼️ This is Luis Guevara, he’s a 3rd year, majoring in Psychology! Luis is currently working as an SMP Success Mentor! We asked him a few questions, and here is what he had to say:

-What is your hometown?
Fresno, CA

-Who's your favorite artist?
Lorde

-Why did you choose to become a mentor?
I chose to become a mentor because I'd like to offer support and guidance. I'd also like to help make navigating college less intimidating.

-What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy going to the gym, hanging out with friends, listening to music, and shopping!

Thank you for all of the hard work you do for our
mentees! We appreciate you‼️

⭐️HELLO BOBCATS⭐️ We want to give our wonderful mentors a SPOTLIGHT‼️ This is Alexis Reimers-Contreras, she’s a 4th year, majoring in Psychology! Alexis is currently working as an SMP Success Mentor! We asked her a few questions, and here is what she had to say:

-What is your hometown?
Turlock, CA

-Who's your favorite artist?
Hozier

-Why did you choose to become a mentor?
I'm a first-generation college student myself so I understand the struggles of navigating university without anyone to turn to. So I hope to help every one of my mentees navigate the college process and life.

-What do you like to do in your free time?
I really love spending time watching YouTube, reading, sleeping, and spending time with my family plus my cats.

Thank you for all of the hard work you do for our mentees! We appreciate you‼️

⭐️HELLO BOBCATS⭐️ We want to give our wonderful mentors a SPOTLIGHT‼️ This is Faith Her, she’s a 4th year, majoring in Sociology! Faith is currently working as an SMP Success Mentor! We asked her a few questions, and here is what she had to say:

-What is your hometown?
Merced, CA

-Who's your favorite artist?
NewJeans

-Why did you choose to become a mentor?
I've always been interested in one-on-one peer mentoring as a former member of a nonprofit organization that partnered with Planned Parenthood to provide resources and information on health education to adolescents.

-What do you like to do in your free time?
Listen to music and watch movies.

Thank you for all of the hard work you do for our mentees! We appreciate you‼️

⭐HELLO BOBCATS⭐ We want to give our wonderful mentors a SPOTLIGHT‼️ This is Airam Martinez, she’s a 4th year, majoring in Bioengineering! Airam is currently working as an SMP Success Mentor! We asked her a few questions, and here is what she had to say:

-What is your hometown?
Newman, CA

-Who's your favorite artist?
Vicente Fernandez

-Why did you choose to become a mentor?
I chose to become a mentor to help incoming students be informed of all the resources available not just in UCMerced but in the Central Valley. As a first-generation, Hispanic woman in STEM, I want to support those with the same struggles as me and help them feel understood and motivated throughout their undergraduate academic career.

-What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I like to hike in places like Yosemite National Park and walk my dogs in the mornings.

Thank you for all of the hard work you do for our mentees! We appreciate you‼️

⭐️WELCOME BACK BOBCATS⭐️ The Success Mentor Program would like to wish you all the luck throughout your beginning or continuing journey on campus! The mentors and staff at SMP believe in you and are here to support you! If you have any questions about our program, feel free to reach out to us through any of our social media platforms. 🤩 Link to our Fall 2023 Mentee Application Form is still open! Apply today with the QR code or the link in our Bio!
What are you looking forward to this semester? Let us know in the comments below! 😎

💼 ATTENTION BOBCATS!!! 💼 Are you interested in becoming a mentor for UC Merced students or making an impact on campus? Good news! The Success Mentor Program is hiring Peer Mentors for the upcoming academic year! Our application can be found through Handshake and is due July 15th! If you have any questions regarding the program/requirements, feel free to send us a DM or reach us at [email protected]

⭐ATTENTION ALL BOBCATS!!!!⭐The application to join the Success Mentor Program for the upcoming year is now open!! The application is now open to all first-years, continuing students, and transfer students! You can join by scanning the QR code or clicking the website on our profile!☀️If you have any questions regarding the program, feel free to send us a DM or reach our coordinator at [email protected]

🐾BOBCATS!!🐾 Congratulations on almost completing your first year! To celebrate and acknowledge your completion, we invite all mentees to our final semester workshop! Join us Tuesday, April 25th for our "Semester Growth & Reflection" workshop in Glacier 160 from 1:30PM-2:30PM as we discuss and reflect on your first year! We hope to see you all there!
How was your first year? Let us know in the comments below!

☀️BOBCATS!!!!☀️It's almost the end of the semester! The SMP team would like to invite you all to our last event of the semester. Join us Friday, April 21st for our "SMP End Of Year Social" event! The event will occur in the University Plaza (in front of El Portal) from 3:30PM-4:30PM. Come socialize & play some games outside with other peers! We hope to see you there!

⭐️BOBCATS!!⭐️ Looking for a quiet place to study and complete work? Looking for potential study buddies? If so, join us on April 12th at 1:30pm in ADMIN 262 for our Study Jam! Donuts and snacks will be provided! We hope to see you there!

🖌BOBCATS!!🖌We're in the final stretch for the spring semester! We invite everyone to our upcoming fun and exciting event! Join us Friday, March 7th for our "Paint and Party!" event where we design and paint your own Tote Bags! The event will be taking place in Granite 135 from 3:30PM to 5:30PM! We hope to see you all there!

⭐BOBATS!!⭐ You're more than halfway through the semester! The SMP team would like to invite you all to our upcoming event Friday, March 24th in Granite 140 at 3:30PM at our "Self-care with CAPS" event! Come learn about the importance of self-care and how to practice it in your everyday life! We hope to see you all there!