Frequently Asked Questions

Am I able to be an alumni mentor if I live outside the state of Ohio?

Yes! The MPH program has a diverse alumni pool that spans multiple states and countries. We welcome all UC MPH alumni, both near and far, to apply to the program. If matched with a student, be aware of differing time zones when setting up virtual meetings. 

How long does the mentorship last?

This is a two-semester program that starts fall semester and ends spring semester.

Can I be a mentor every year?

Of course! We would love for you to share your wisdom with other students!

Can I mentor more than one student?

We would love that! First, we ask that you reflect on how much time you can dedicate to each student for a robust mentor/mentee relationship. If you have the time, you can mentor up to three students each year. 

Can I be a mentee twice?

While we love the enthusiasm, students can only participate once so other students can have a turn being matched. 

How are mentor/student matches made?

Students and mentors are matched based on common interests and declared needs of the student. Mentors will look over matches to determine if they can provide the level of support requested from the student(s). After mentors agree to a match, students will have a chance to accept or decline the selected mentor.

What happens if the mentor/mentee match is not working?

In the unfortunate case the match is not working, please contact burbagml@ucmail.uc.edu to discontinue. Please provide reasons for ending the match as this will help us determine if a rematch can be made. Before discontinuing, we encourage you to reach out to your mentor/mentee about the issue to see if it can be resolved.  

If I apply as a mentor (alumni), will I be chosen? 

While we would love to have you mentor a student, we want to pair students with mentors based on their interests and goals. Thus, you may not be selected to be a mentor right away. But there is an option to be listed in our “database” of alumni mentors so you could be selected in future years. 

If I apply as a mentee (student), will I be chosen? 

While we would love to have every student participate, not all that apply will be selected.