LGBTQ+ Mentor Program | Penn State Student Affairs

Our mentor program pairs graduate students who identify as LGBTQ+ with another LGBTQ+ student at Penn State.

Graduate student mentors offer mentees emotional support, assistance setting goals and choosing a career path, and guidance through sexual and gender identity development while encouraging health and wellness through campus and community engagement.

“ I gained a greater level of comfort in my identity from being able to talk to someone about my issues that I felt really cared about them. ”

Mentee, 2017-2018

Become a Mentee

Mentees are Penn State students who join the LGBTQ+ mentor program to talk one-on-one to someone about their sexual orientation and gender identity as well as discuss issues related to academics, career, family, coming out, dating, and relationships, other marginalized identities, and campus involvement.

Become a Mentee

“ From this mentorship program I gained a greater sense of normalcy for myself, as well as more information and resources related to our shared identities. ”

Mentee, 2017-2018

Become a Mentor

Mentors are Penn State graduate students in the LGBTQ+ community who are looking to assist other LGBTQ+ students with their journey through Penn State with special considerations to the student's sexual orientation and gender identity. Mentors also have an opportunity to make strong connections with other graduate students in the community.

Become a Graduate Mentor

“ I gained a completely different understanding of being a support system. I learned a lot from my mentee, especially about his discoveries and how well he is embracing them. We talked a lot about clothing and fashion and how our wardrobe is a huge part of our identity. ”

Abdiel Portalatín, Graduate Mentor, 2016-2017