University of Wisconsin–Madison

Graduate Student Mentoring

Incoming Department of Computer Sciences graduate students in the traditional MS/PhD, CS Professional Master’s (PMP), and MS Data Engineering (MSDE) programs are assigned mentors before arriving to UW-Madison.

Mentors are current graduate students in new students’ respective programs.

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Mentoring

Are you interested in guiding incoming graduate students and creating community in the department? If so, consider being a mentor!

As a mentor, you’ll be assigned incoming students in your program as mentees in the summer.

The call for Fall 2025 mentor volunteering will be sent in the spring to all current students.

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If you’re a current graduate student in the Department of Computer Sciences, you can be a mentor! Mentors are always needed for incoming students in the traditional MS/PhD, CS Professional Master’s (PMP), and MS Data Engineering (MSDE) programs.

Once you decide to volunteer, you’ll be matched up with incoming students in your program.

As a mentor, you have the opportunity to contribute to the success and well-being of incoming graduate students.

Your volunteerism will…

  • create a welcoming atmosphere for incoming graduate students.
  • improve the togetherness of our student body.
  • develop community amongst your peers.
  • benefit the department community.

Outside the community benefits, there are a few personal ones as well. As a mentor, you can…

  • add mentoring to your resume or CV as volunteer service.
  • make some new friends.
  • meet potential research or project collaborators.
  • get the satisfaction of supporting other students and expand your knowledge in the process.

  • You will be matched with a group of incoming students from your program early in the summer.
  • It is up to you to decide the best way to connect with your mentees. There are many platforms to choose from. This can be completely virtual.
  • You’ll need to be available to your assigned mentees to answer questions. You can decide your preferred platform for individual communication.
  • You will check in with your mentees later in the fall semester. You and your mentees can continue the connection if desired.

Yes! You will be given the contact information for fellow mentors. You are welcome to connect with them if you’d like to collaborate.

Being a Mentee

As an incoming student in our department, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with a mentor in your program. Mentors are current students in your program who have volunteered to be a resource for you as you transition to UW-Madison and graduate study in the Department of Computer Sciences.

You will be sent a mentee form to fill out after admission to the program so we can connect you to a mentor.

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After accepting admission, you will be sent a mentee form to request a mentor. After filling out the mentee form, you’ll be assigned a mentor early in the summer. Your mentor is a current student volunteer in your program.

Your mentor will communicate with you via email first.

Mentors are your peers volunteering their time and energy because they want to help. So, we have some expectations for you as a mentee:

  • Follow any boundaries your mentor sets regarding topics of conversation or availability.
  • Be respectful.

Questions

If you have questions about mentoring or being a mentee, please contact your graduate program manager: