Welcome current and future Mentors at Long Beach City College!  

Do you have a strong desire to help another student succeed?  You may have come to the right place!  
Being a Mentor is a fun yet serious and challenging journey, one that begins with wanting to make a difference in someone's life.  The heart of a Mentor is a key element to the success of the mentoring process.  Being a Mentor means being a leader and a role-model to others.  This leadership position is one of an altruistic nature where the focus is not on the Mentor but rather on the development of skills inherent in the Mentee, which you help to unfold.  

In the words of author Darlene Gicuhi, "When a Mentor begins with the perspective that the Mentee is the most important person of the dynamic duo, something rather spectacular occurs as the Mentor loves and cares for the Mentee unconditionally and non-judgmentally.  The need for recognition is not a part of the motivation for the Mentor.  Instead, the Mentor is simply focused on the Mentee."*  

Mentor Criteria

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (2.75 minimum required for mentoring students in special programs)
• Minimum of one semester with at least 12 academic units completed at Long Beach City College
• Desire to help others realize their potential
• Effective communication skills (active listener, non-judgmental, respectful, empathic, assertive, etc.)
• Commit for full semester (one hour per week with Mentee, one hour per week on Mentor Team)
• Knowledge of campus resources
• Ethical behavior (honesty, integrity, adhering to college & program policies and staff requests)

Mentor Process and Timeline

• If you have questions, email leaders@lbcc.edu or call (562) 938-4236
• Submit an application preferably at least one month before the next semester begins
• Attend an interview session
• If selected to be a Mentor, attend Mentor Training and Orientation
• Sign-up for, and attend, weekly Mentor Team meetings
• Meet with your Mentee each week for one-hour minimum

Mentor Benefits

• Leadership development - on-going training, team meetings, and program activities
• Opportunity to give back - people have helped you at LBCC; here is your chance to give back
• Feelings of gratitude, satisfaction, and happiness - happen when making a positive impact
• Leaving the world in a better place - mentoring is a powerful way to effect change

* Who I Am Makes a Difference, pg. 16, by Darlene Gicuhi  ISBN 978-0-9795164-0-5