Connect Program | Students

Receive mentoring from faculty in your department

If you are among the first in your family to attend a four-year college like UIC, we invite you to enroll in the Connect Faculty-Student Mentorship Program. You'll work with LAS faculty in your departments to receive guidance and advice on the college and post-grad journey. By working with faculty in your department, you will develop productive and long-lasting connections with your program and your department life. Students enrolled in their first, second, or third year of study in LAS are welcome to join.

Become a Connect Student Heading link

Learn how mentorship positively impacts the student experience, what you’ll do as a student mentee, and review our enrollment process.

In the Connect Program, mentors are referred to as Faculty Guides. They provide forms of mentorship that will nurture your academic, personal, and professional growth.

  • Goal Setting: Help identify and work toward academic and professional goals.
  • Support and Encouragement: Provide emotional support and moral encouragement.
  • Resource Sharing and Network Building: Share information about and direct you toward opportunities that reflect your interests and connect you to individuals that expand your network.
  • Department Connections: Promote lasting department connections and involvement in department life.

Learn how we help Connect Students make the most of the mentorship experience by reviewing the Mentee Resources below.

As a Connect Student, you’ll:

  • Meet with your Faculty Guide one-on-one or as a small group to discuss the college experience, share the academic journey, and explore opportunities for professional growth. You’ll receive support identifying and working toward goals that address your interests or needs (this looks different for every student!). You can work with your Faculty Guide for one or two semesters, and you’ll work together to identify a meeting schedule.
  • Connect with first-gen students enrolled in the program by attending First-at-LAS events.
  • Have access to resources to help get the most from the experience.

Time Commitment:

  • Meetings with faculty guides: minimally, about 1-2 hours per month
  • One First-at-LAS event of your choice: 1 hour

Read the feedback provided by your peers to learn how working with a Faculty Guide made a positive impact on their LAS/UIC journey.

  • “This is a wonderful program, as a student I feel very lost in terms of academics but having a mentor is very helpful in putting things into perspective.”
  • “I am confident to say I am able to reach out to this mentor that I have after the program. I value that a lot especially because of the pandemic and online classes.”
  • “Great program for first-gen students. More freshmen all around the school should benefit from this.”
  • “I loved that my mentor helped me write out query letters for a book I want to publish and I have my fingers crossed to see if it can get published!”

To enroll in the program, students must:

  • Identify as first-gen (neither parent nor guardian graduated with a degree from a 4-year college in the US).
  • Be a full-time student in LAS and in the first, second, or third year of enrollment. All majors are welcome!
  • Be willing to meet with faculty guides and practice timely communication (1-2 hours per month).
  • Be willing to attend at least one monthly First-at-LAS event (1 hour).

Enrollment is currently open!

  • Complete an enrollment form by January 16th to get connected to a Faculty Guide early in the semester. Access the form by selecting the Enrollment Form link below.
  • Once your application is submitted, First-at-LAS will identify and link you to a Faculty Guide who shares your department.
  • You’ll receive an email from First-at-LAS with a profile of your Faculty Guide and an introduction to your Faculty Guide. Once you are connected, you’ll have two weeks to meet with your Faculty Guide for an initial meeting. From there, you’ll work together to decide on a regular meeting schedule.
  • While the program aims to connect students to Faculty Guides within two weeks of receiving an application, sometimes it can take longer. We appreciate your patience!