Peer Mentoring Programs

The OBSA mentorship program provides group mentoring for incoming first year students of African descent in the five colleges, and pairs incoming students with trained peer mentors according to shared academic and co-curricular interests. Mentors apply, interview and are selected and matched on a rolling basis in the fall, with trainings in spring and summer, and mentees apply and are selected from winter through summer. Each incoming students receives an invitation to apply online from OBSA. Groups of mentors are supervised and supported by head mentors from each campus and an OBSA student manager. Mentors are required to communicate with their mentees three times per month, attend core group meetings led by their assigned head mentor, and are invited to attend program-wide workshops and activities to ease the transition from high school to college. Finally, all mentorship participants are invited to the annual OBSA first-year retreat, an overnight experience to strengthen relationships with communities of African descent in The Claremont Colleges.

OBSA mentorship is committed to the following goals:

• Provide incoming freshmen of African descent with an immediate connection to students in The Claremont Colleges who can offer advice and resources
• Nurture positive relationships between mentors and mentees, and head mentors and mentors
• Create a supportive environment where advice and experiences can be shared comfortably
• Form groups that offer mentees one-on-one and group guidance with students and mentors that relate to their academic, professional or social preferences
• Offer diverse activities, programs and events that span a range of campus life
• Encourage positive leadership in mentors and mentees
• Build community with students and serve a variety of academic and extracurricular interests
• Make The Claremont Colleges smaller by sharing campus and community resources with incoming first-years

For more information about the Office of Black Student Affairs and the mentor program contact obsa@claremont.edu, call (909) 607-3669, or visit OBSA's website.

The Asian American Mentor Program (AAMP) is a student-run organization that fosters community among individuals who self-identify as Asian, Pacific Islander, Asian American, multiethnic, and/or multiracial (API/A). First-year and transfer students who self-identify as API/A on their college applications are placed in small mentor groups led by student mentors. AAMP mentors support these individuals and their allies through meaningful relationships, providing a safe space for discussion and education, and encouraging activism concerning issues that relate to the API/A community. Mentors work with mentees to explore and express identities within historical, social and personal contexts. AAMP also strives for inclusivity by building coalitions and promoting discourse with other organizations and communities within and beyond Pomona College.

AAMP is anchored at the Asian American Resource Center (AARC). For more information about the Asian American Mentor Program & the Asian American Resource Center, please visit AAMP's website or call (909) 621-8639.

The Chicano Latino Student Affairs (CLSA) Sponsor Program is a five-college, peer mentorship support network, designed to assist first-year Latinx students, to successfully transition from high school into The Claremont Colleges. CLSA Sponsors are returning student leaders whose goal is to mentor each and every Chicanx/Latinx student in the incoming class. Sponsors serve as advocates who foster a sense of belonging to build upon our sense of familia and tight-knit comunidad. CLSA Sponsors receive intensive training that provides the background to effectively and pro-actively deal with new student issues and concerns. CLSA Sponsors not only serve as peer mentors, but they also coordinate cultural and social events, such as community dinners, study breaks, movie nights, and host ongoing sessions that address current issues impacting the Latinx community. They are also responsible for the coordination and facilitation of all events held during CLSA’s new student retreat. The three-day new student retreat is a community-building experience that promotes leadership development, team building, networking and cultural awareness to create a foundation designed to ensure success for new students. Located in a scenic mountain setting, the retreat is an invaluable opportunity for participants to interact and create friendships with over 100 Latinx students, across the five colleges. Sponsors engage new students in activities that promote trust and a sense of community. The retreat sets a solid foundation for students to begin the academic year feeling invigorated, and with a sense of purpose within the community. For more information about Chicano Latino Student Affairs, please visit CLSA's website or call (909) 621-8044. CLSA is located on the second floor of the Tranquada Student Services Center: 757 N College Way, Claremont, CA. 91711.

The IDEAS Mentor Program is the mentoring counterpart of the student-run immigrant rights and educational organization, Improving Dreams Equality Access and Success (IDEAS) at The Claremont Colleges. Our mentors are DACA/undocumented current students whose aims to provide support and resources to incoming DACA/undocumented students with questions about navigating college (including study abroad!). We value your confidentiality and do not disclose the status of any of members of the undocumented community.

For more information about the IDEAS Mentor Program, please contact daniel.caballero@zo23.com.

The International Student Mentor Program (ISMP) at Pomona is a resource for all international students on campus from First Year and beyond. It consists of a dedicated group of students who coordinate a first-year student mentor program, pairing new students with upperclassmen to ease the transition into college in the United States; organize social events, discussions, and learning opportunities open to all students; and stand as advocates and resource providers for all international students' needs, fostering an inclusive international community at Pomona. ISMP is open to students of all nationalities outside of the U.S., as well as to U.S. citizens that have lived a substantial part of their lives overseas.  If you are interested in taking part in ISMP or have any questions, please send an email to ISMP.Pomona@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

QQMP consists of students from the seven Claremont Colleges who identify as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual or agender (LGBTQIA+) community or any other gender and sexual identity along the queer spectrum. This confidential mentor program is designed to provide students with support, social involvement and engagement in activities, working through identity development, and learning how to navigate the college-going environment as a queer or questioning student.

QQMP Mentors are trained to provide support and informed guidance on queer-related issues to their Mentee(s), including, but not limited to:

• Self-acceptance as a LGBTQIA+ community member
• Coming out to friends and/or family etc.
• Finding resources at the college, local, and national levels
• Learning what it means to be a good queer or questioning ally to others in the queer community
• Working through confusion about gender identity and/or sexual orientation
• Meeting other queer and/or questioning students on the campuses and in the surrounding community
• Understanding how sexual orientation and/or gender identity intersect with other aspects of identity, including race, sex, religion, physical ability, culture, class, etc.

QQMP Mentees have one-on-one interaction with their Mentor as well as the opportunity to participate in events and meet more people within the program and the wider queer community at The Claremont Colleges. Moreover, the role of a QQMP Mentor is primarily to welcome and introduce their Mentee(s) to The Claremont Colleges and provide them with opportunities to become involved in the queer community, particularly through programming and developing personal relationships.

Claremont College students interested in applying to become a Mentee should submit a QQMP Mentee Application. Claremont College students interested in applying to become a Mentor should submit a QQMP Mentor Application. Please note, all Claremont College students are eligible to apply. There is no deadline to submit an application as QQMP accepts Mentee applications on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Please direct any questions you have to QQMP Head Mentors, Angel Ornelas (CMC Student and QRC Student Associate) and Elise Kuechle (POM Student and QRC Student Associate) at mentors@zo23.com or directly to Pharalyn (she/her), Interim Director of the Queer Resource Center. 

FLI Scholars is a program at Pomona College open to all incoming first-generation and/or low-income students. What will you get out of the mentoring process? 2 to 3 upperclassmen mentors who are also first-generation and/or low-income students at Pomona College, and who will provide guidance and support to help you transition from high school to the college’s atmosphere
A group of first years who, along with your mentors, will serve as an immediate family for you at the Pomona during your first-year and the years ahead
Opportunities to meet other low-income and/or first-generation students
Monthly excursions with your mentors and other mentees to ensure a fun and successful year
Workshops to guide you through financial aid, choosing classes, and overall navigating higher education at an elite institution
Mentor-mentee dinners and outings What constitutes as being a low-income student?

Traditionally, a household income of $65,000 or less. We do understand however that people may have different circumstances, such as debt or substantial bills. If your family income is above $65,000, just contact us about your circumstances and we'll be happy to tell you if you qualify.

What constitutes as being a first-generation student?

If one or neither of your parent(s)/guardian(s) attended college in the United States, you are considered a first-generation student.

If you would like further information about how to get involved and/or how to join the mentoring program, please contact us at the email below. Also check out our website, Facebook group, and Instagram for pictures, resources, and examples of past events! Email: flischolars.pomona@gmail.com | Facebook: Pomona College FLI Scholars | Instagram: flischolars.pomona | Website: flischolars.com

The South Asian Mentorship Program (SAMP) is a student run program designed to provide support to incoming South Asian first years and transfer students during their transition into The Claremont Colleges. SAMP aims to build a community between South Asian faculty, staff, and students by organizing cultural, social, educational, and community outreach activities across the 5Cs. This program provides spaces for dialog on identity while furthering awareness of South Asian issues.

For more information about SAMP, please contact Head Mentors at claremontsamp@gmail.com.