Mentor Program
The SPH Mentor Program connects SPH alumni and professionals with current students to offer career guidance, insight, and support. Mentoring relationships benefit both mentors and mentees. For students, the program can have a meaningful impact on career direction and provide valuable perspectives from professionals actively working in their respective fields. For mentors, it’s an opportunity to support the next generation of leaders and contribute to the SPH community. Many of these relationships become enriching and long-lasting connections.
Becoming a Mentor
The SPH Mentor Program invites all alumni and professionals across public health, healthcare administration, and related fields to support current students through mentorship. As a mentor, you will share career insights, academic guidance, and real-world experience to help students navigate their professional paths.
Not sure if mentoring is right for you? We’re happy to help. Reach out to us at phmentor@umn.edu with any questions.
- The Mentor Program runs October through April each year.
- Mentors have the opportunity to connect with students and share their wisdom, advice, expertise, and guidance with the next generation of leaders and professionals across public health, healthcare, and related fields. Serving as an SPH Mentor is a meaningful way to give back and pay it forward.
- The time commitment is determined by the mentor and student during initial meetings. Most mentor pairs choose to communicate approximately one to three hours per month online, via email, chat, or in-person.
- Mentor from anywhere! Many of our mentees and mentors do not live locally in the Twin Cities. Mentors who live outside of the state of Minnesota, or even outside of the United States, are encouraged to apply.
- Mentors who have recently graduated and have diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply!
Becoming a Mentee
All undergraduates in the final year of their Bachelor of Arts degree program and graduate students at the School of Public Health are eligible to be paired with a mentor. You will receive support, guidance, and an invaluable relationship with a mentor who has been in your shoes and can help guide you through your time at SPH, and beyond.
- The Mentor Program runs October through April each year.
- Students get to connect with a SPH alumni who can share their experience from their academic career and offer advice.
- Communication with your mentor can be in-person or online. It’s up to you to decide how best to be in touch. The expectation is that mentor pairs communicate at least monthly.
- The program supports participants by matching participants up appropriately.
- Informal mentoring opportunities at SPH include networking events, career panels, symposiums and lectures, and informational interviews.
- You do not need to live locally to participate.
- The mentor program is NOT a job placement program for students. There are no expectations that a job or internship will develop out of this experience.
Mentorship at the School of Public Health
The SPH Alumni Society Board Mentor Committee
The SPH Mentor Program is supported by the SPH Alumni Society Board Mentor Committee. Learn more about our award-winning SPH Alumni Society Board.
- Kari Moore, MPH ‘04 (Community Health Education)
Committee Chair
Oakdale, MN - Jill Dreyfus, PhD ‘13 (Epidemiology)
Stillwater, MN - Janelle Peralez – Gunn, MPH ‘03 (Public Health Nutrition)
Suwanee, GA - Candance Dow, MHA ‘85 (Healthcare Administration)
Minneapolis, MN - Cassandra Shaker, MPH ‘17 (Community Health Education)
North Branch, MN - Cheri Hample, MPH ‘80 (Interdisciplinary Studies)
Milwaukie, OR - Heather Weinrech MPH ‘05 (Epidemiology)
Wilmette, IL - Thuy Kim, PhD ’23 (Environmental Health)
Minneapolis, MN
Contact Us
School of Public Health Mentor Program
phmentor@umn.edu
