The Heller School for Social Policy and Management
Admissions and Financial Aid

Social Sciences and Social Policy Mentorship Program

Two students working together at a table in front of a whiteboard

The Social Sciences and Social Policy Mentorship Program connects students at SSSP with current students, alumni, faculty, and staff for academic, professional, personal, and social support that is relevant to their needs and is culturally competent.

For students from different parts of the world, as well as various socioeconomic backgrounds and identities, mentors can help create an inclusive and positive learning experience that supports academic performance, overall wellbeing, and the needs of a thriving community. 

If you are interested in the mentorship program, complete the appropriate form below:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the goals of the program?

  • Promoting the inclusion of diverse identities, voices, and perspectives within the community 
  • Providing students with guidance, insight, and support as they navigate their graduate student experience and their career and professional goals
  • Developing programs and opportunities to encourage the academic and career success of mentees
  • Fostering a sense of belongingness across the diverse community 
  • Prioritizing physiological, mental and psychological wellbeing of individuals and the community as a whole. 
  • Bridging the possible gap of incoming students with faculty and school/community resources.  
  • Enhancing students’ awareness of the existing resources and support centers within and outside the Social Sciences and Social Policy School.

What are the benefits of joining the program?

The mentorship program offers benefits for both mentees and mentors: 

Mentees will gain:

  • A more enriching and applied academic experience;
  • Career preparation, insight, information and connections;
  • Increased confidence in networking and relationship building;
  • Guidance navigating Brandeis systems and supporting functions; and
  • Increased confidence and self esteem.

Mentors will:

  • Help the Social Sciences and Social Policy School achieve its mission through assisting the next generation of leaders committed to advancing social justice;
  • Reconnect with the SSSP network through engagement with mentees and peers;
  • Acquire new insight and understanding on a variety of subjects through students learning the most cutting-edge information;
  • Grow leadership capacity by guiding students forward in their careers, discovering critical skills and areas for development, and providing advice — all key skills in any leader’s portfolio.

Who is eligible to be a mentor?

  • Current Students (of all SSSP programs)
  • Alumni
  • Faculty, Staff, Researchers, and Administrators

What are the program requirements?

Mentors and their mentees will agree upon an arrangement for mentorship based on their initial conversations around needs and bandwidth.

How will mentors and mentees communicate?

  • In-person meetings according to the availability of both the mentor and the mentee. 
  • Remote meeting arrangements through Skype, Zoom or other platforms, if both parties feel safe to use it. 

What types of mentorship are available?

  • Academic support through sharing of experiences and resources.  
  • Support in finding practicums and internships.  
  • Channeling students to resources that support their academic achievement, mental health, and social wellbeing. 
  • Providing psychological and social support if the situations can be managed by the capacity of the mentor.

How will mentors be supported?

  • Training of trainers for volunteer mentors 
  • Continuous online resources 
  • Regular check-in meetings to share experiences and learned lessons 

Please contact Associate Director Marc Kiredjian (mkiredjian@brandeis.edu) with any questions.

What additional resources may be helpful?

Academic Assistance

Finding Community

Physical & Mental Health

How will mentors and mentees be matched?

  • The matching process of mentees with their mentors needs to be according to the relevance of the support they need. It will be important to match mentees with mentors who understand their context academically, psychologically and socially. That is why the creation of a matching survey becomes a vital factor. 
  • For an inclusive service that meets the needs of all students from different academic programs, background, and social identities, the diversity of mentors based on these factors is vital. 
  • Mentors/mentees can be matched on variables such as program of study, race, age, ethnicity, and career/professional goals.
  • Depending on the mentor/mentee applicants each semester, there may not be an immediate match.

What is the code of conduct?

  • Even though this mentorship scheme is a volunteer initiative, its success depends on the commitment and dedication of all parties.  
  • Take into account that the relationship between mentors and mentees is near-peer mentorship, hence mentors should be conscious of power-dynamics and always be recognizant that the mentees their peers in terms of academic and professional experience.  
  • In dealing with conflicts or any type of dispute, mentors should restrain themselves from dealing with the situation on their own. It is important to take a bystander position and channel the mentees to the resources that can help them in resolving the situation.
  • Always remember that mentors are mandated reporters of Title IX. 

Testimonials from Participants

"Our conversations have been motivating and intellectually engaging. The mentorship helped me identify a few places and opportunities I could apply to and gave me a clearer sense of direction regarding my career goals. It also encouraged me to think more confidently about how to align my interests with future professional pathways."

"Being matched with the right mentor through the Heller Mentorship Program has given me confidence and the tools I need to speak up for myself and go after a career in which I hope to contribute to a more equitable world. My Heller Mentor has encouraged me to reach out to individuals in my field of work who inspire me, and this has led to new connections, opportunities, and tangible career advice. When I most needed a mentor at a critical transition period in my career, I did not have someone, but as I leave Brandeis and re-enter this transition period from young to mid-career professional, I now have someone to help guide me through to the other side. Thank you to my amazing mentor for her leadership and her kind, thoughtful, and strategic advice!"

"The most valuable part of my relationship with [my mentor] has been the chance to receive thoughtful, real-world insights from someone who bridges multiple disciplines – medicine, management, and social impact. His reflections on career strategy and decision-making helped me think more critically about how to integrate my interests in inclusive development with healthcare systems and policy innovation."

"I really enjoyed the mentorship program and found it extremely useful for my academic development. My mentor was friendly, respectful, and genuinely supportive throughout our sessions. Since she had completed the same program, she understood my situation well and shared valuable insights from her own experiences. Our meetings mainly focused on narrowing down my thesis options. She offered creative ideas and asked thoughtful questions that helped me explore my true interests and choose a topic that felt meaningful to me. Overall, the mentorship experience gave me greater clarity and confidence as I move forward with my studies."

Other Mentorship Opportunities Across Campus

The Mentorship Program complements other initiatives on campus, such as the Office of Graduate Affairs’ OGA Student Ambassadors program and the Department of Community Service’s Roses in Concrete initiative. These are additional opportunities to develop your leadership skills, build your professional network, and engage with your community.