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Graduate Students Mentoring Undergraduates

Graduate Students Mentoring Undergraduates (GSMU) program is a collaborative initiative between the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives (OADI) and the Graduate School Office of Inclusion & Student Engagement (OISE) and is designed to support the scholarship and professional development of undergraduate scholars in the following programs:

  • Pre Professional Programs (P3)
  • OADI Research Scholars Program (ORSP)
  • McNair Scholars Program
  • New York State Opportunity Programs (NYSOP)
  • Cornell Veterans

The GSMU program strives to:

  • Collectively create and maintain a safe space for the cultivation of open, authentic, and honest relationships with GSMU community members.
  • Inform students’ pursuit of graduate studies by exposing them to and encouraging their exploration of different disciplines and post-baccalaureate journeys.
  • Encourage students to reflect on their undergraduate experiences thus far and consider how to shape future experiences in service of their pursuit of graduate studies.

In addition to supporting undergraduate students’ paths through academic life, GSMU aims to support graduate mentors in their own growth and development. In this vein, our objective is to support graduate mentors as they:

  • Share and reflect on their experiences in order to validate mentees’ experiences, inform students and support their growth, and expand their horizons and perspectives on how to manage successes and challenges in their academic journeys.
  • Facilitate discussion and reflection.
  • Cultivate healthy and equitable relationships as mentors, colleagues, and educators.

Interested in becoming a mentor?

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 Applications are considered on a rolling basis and must include a completed electronic application form, written personal statement, and resume/CV. Complete applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 PM on August 21, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited to interview. 

Applicants must be currently enrolled, full-time graduate students or postdoctoral fellows/associates at Cornell University and have completed at least one year in their current graduate degree program or postdoctoral position.

For more information about the GSMU program or application process, please contact GSMU staff at oadimentors@cornell.edu.

Mentor Commitments

Selected mentors must be able to commit to the following activities and expectations over the course of the 2026-2027 academic year:

  • Attend all scheduled GSMU Community-Wide events. Tentative dates for the 2026-2027 are as follows:
    • 9/23, 5 – 6:30 pm: Mentor Meeting
    • 10/21, 5 – 7pm: GSMU Kickoff (with mentees)
    • 11/4, 5 – 6:30: GSMU Event 2
    • 12/9, 5 – 6:30: GSMU Event 3
    • 1/27, 5 – 6:30 pm: GSMU Event 4
    • 2/24, 5 – 6:30 pm: GSMU Event 5
    • 3/17, 5 – 6:30 pm: GSMU Closing Event
  • Be available, accessible, and approachable to mentees
  • Be proactive in supporting mentees
  • Be communicative with GSMU program staff, fellow mentors and mentees
  • Bring any concerns or challenges to the attention of GSMU/OADI staff for the purpose of continuing to strengthen your own mentoring practices and to provide the best support to undergraduate mentees.
  • Complete program assignments (e.g., surveys, feedback forms, reflections) 
  • Commit approximately 8-10 hours to GSMU each semester
Selected mentors are also encouraged to show GSMU mentees support by attending events where they might present their work or be recognized for their achievements.

Mentoring Resources

For additional training opportunities and information about mentoring in higher education, explore the following resources: