Celebrating the Impact of the Mentor Collective Platform & Multicultural and Promise Program Peer Mentors
As we close out the Mentor Collective program, we do so with immense pride in what was accomplished- and with genuine disappointment that, due to budget cuts, this meaningful work must come to an end for now. While this chapter is ending, its impact on students and the UW–Madison community will continue to be felt.
DEM’s partnership with Mentor Collective began in 2020 and has evolved to meet the changing needs of incoming students. This year, in partnership with the Office of Admissions & Recruitment and the Office of Student Financial Aid, Peer Mentors supported admitted students as they considered one of the most important decisions of their lives: whether UW–Madison was the right fit.
This year, 40 paid Peer Mentors were matched with 446 mentees, creating hundreds of personalized, identity-affirming connections. Students were invited to participate upon acceptance and intentionally matched with mentors who shared similar identities and aligned with the characteristics most important to them. Throughout the yield season, mentors helped students envision life at UW–Madison.
Engagement was strong, with 5,676 peer-to-peer text messages exchanged and 2,301 conversations logged through the Mentor Collective platform—evidence of the trust built within these relationships. For students who matriculated, mentorship continued through the summer and into their first semester, providing consistent support during a critical transition.
Mentees came from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds and valued connecting with current Badgers who understood their experiences. Through conversations about academics, campus climate, student life, balance, and future goals, mentors helped students feel welcomed, supported, and confident in their place at UW–Madison.
We are deeply grateful to the Peer Mentors, staff, and campus partners engaged in this program. . The success and lasting impact of our five-year partnership with Mentor Collective created an invaluable safety net of support, helping students find both a sense of belonging and a foundation for success at UW–Madison.
We are proud of what was accomplished together and thankful to everyone who made this program a powerful source of connection, support, and Badger pride.
Mentor Video Testimonial» Mentee Video Testimonial»
Mentors and Mentees could use the Mentor Collective Platform to share their stories about their motivations, goals, and experiences. Here are just a few:
Diana – Mentor. Hi! My name is Diana and as a first-generation Mexican-American student, I carry the sacrifices of my parents, who left everything behind to give me and my sisters a future they could only dream of. Through mentorship, I hope to create a supportive community where underrepresented students feel seen, valued, and empowered, ensuring that no one navigating the challenges of higher education ever feels alone.
Elizabeth – Mentor. Hello, my name is Elizabeth! I’m a junior genetics major pursuing a disability rights and services certificate. When I was accepted into UW–Madison, I realized there was a lot about college I didn’t know anything about. As a mentor, I’m dedicated to ensuring students have a reliable resource to ask any questions they may have so they don’t feel lost like I did. I’m here to support you!
Nai’Taija – Mentor. Hi everyone, my name is Nai’Taija and I’m a second year pre nursing student here at UW Madison. This will be my second year as a mentor for the mentor collective and I’m just as excited as I was the first time. I became a peer mentor to assist and support students who were once in my position. A memorable moment for me was when a student texted me saying they got into and chose Madison as their school but later down the line needed tutoring support and knew they could come to me. I love when my mentees feel like they can come to me with their problems and entrust that I have solutions. I’m excited to meet you all and hope that you too can entrust me!!
Cia – Mentee. Hi, I am Cia. I decided to become a mentee because as an out-of-state student who has never visited UW–Madison, I wanted to be sure of what exactly I was getting and that I was prepared for it. My mentor was very friendly and helpful, So I want to give a big shout-out to her. She particularly helped me in choosing my dorms and understanding extracurriculars at uw-madison.
Raul – Mentee. Hello! I’m excited to be part of this mentorship program. I became a mentee because I want to be as prepared as possible for the challenges ahead, both personally and professionally. I’m especially eager to build powerful networks that can support my growth while also finding the right balance between work, life, and personal development. I’m looking forward to gaining guidance in these areas and making the most of this opportunity.
We are deeply grateful to the Peer Mentors, staff, and campus partners engaged in this program. . The success and lasting impact of our five-year partnership with Mentor Collective created an invaluable safety net of support, helping students find both a sense of belonging and a foundation for success at UW–Madison.
We are proud of what was accomplished together and thankful to everyone who made this program a powerful source of connection, support, and Badger pride.
Mentor Video Testimonial» Mentee Video Testimonial»
Mentors and Mentees could use the Mentor Collective Platform to share their stories about their motivations, goals, and experiences. Here are just a few:
Diana – Mentor. Hi! My name is Diana and as a first-generation Mexican-American student, I carry the sacrifices of my parents, who left everything behind to give me and my sisters a future they could only dream of. Through mentorship, I hope to create a supportive community where underrepresented students feel seen, valued, and empowered, ensuring that no one navigating the challenges of higher education ever feels alone.
Elizabeth – Mentor. Hello, my name is Elizabeth! I’m a junior genetics major pursuing a disability rights and services certificate. When I was accepted into UW–Madison, I realized there was a lot about college I didn’t know anything about. As a mentor, I’m dedicated to ensuring students have a reliable resource to ask any questions they may have so they don’t feel lost like I did. I’m here to support you!
Nai’Taija – Mentor. Hi everyone, my name is Nai’Taija and I’m a second year pre nursing student here at UW Madison. This will be my second year as a mentor for the mentor collective and I’m just as excited as I was the first time. I became a peer mentor to assist and support students who were once in my position. A memorable moment for me was when a student texted me saying they got into and chose Madison as their school but later down the line needed tutoring support and knew they could come to me. I love when my mentees feel like they can come to me with their problems and entrust that I have solutions. I’m excited to meet you all and hope that you too can entrust me!!
Cia – Mentee. Hi, I am Cia. I decided to become a mentee because as an out-of-state student who has never visited UW–Madison, I wanted to be sure of what exactly I was getting and that I was prepared for it. My mentor was very friendly and helpful, So I want to give a big shout-out to her. She particularly helped me in choosing my dorms and understanding extracurriculars at uw-madison.
Raul – Mentee. Hello! I’m excited to be part of this mentorship program. I became a mentee because I want to be as prepared as possible for the challenges ahead, both personally and professionally. I’m especially eager to build powerful networks that can support my growth while also finding the right balance between work, life, and personal development. I’m looking forward to gaining guidance in these areas and making the most of this opportunity.