The Undergraduate Physics Mentoring Program aims to support all undergraduate (UG) students interested in or already admitted to UW Physics and build a stronger community in the department. 

The essential aim of the program is for UGs who are well-settled in the physics major (typically taking 300- or 400-level physics courses) to provide mentorship for those who are either thinking of becoming a physics major or who have just begun as a major (typically taking 100- and 200-level physics courses).  Note that this program is not meant to provide academic help. It hopes to assist UGs with the challenges of the university and the department unrelated to the coursework. It is an opportunity to connect to students with issues similar to those that you experience, including those unique to your identities.

At the core of our goals is the creation of a welcoming environment that fosters support, community, and connection for all students, including BIPOC students, students minoritized by their race, ethnicity or nationality, LGBTQIA+ students, women, American Indian and Alaska Native students, students with mental, learning, and/or physical disabilities, first-generation students, veterans, non-traditional students (ex: worked for X years before starting), low income/students experiencing economic hardship, and members of other underrepresented and underserved communities. Physics is for everyone, and we believe it is critical that the program we create actively supports justice, equity, and wellness for everyone in our physics community.

Some examples of challenges that undergraduates face, and that this program aims to help with, are:
- Applying to the physics program/track and choosing a degree path
- Course planning
- Finding research opportunities
- Finding extracurricular activities and communities
- Imposter thoughts and belonging
- Feeling included and represented in your identities
- Finding safe spaces
- Facing challenging academic coursework

The program will involve both one-on-one and small group mentoring. An outline is as follows:
- Each mentor will be paired with up to two mentees.

- There will be an hour-long training session for mentees and mentors to provide resources on developing an effective mentor/mentee relationship.
- Mentees will meet one-on-one with their mentor roughly once every two weeks, either in-person or remotely.
- Mentees will keep in touch with their mentor via Discord or related media.
- We will organize activities throughout the academic year, including possibly group mentoring sessions and social events.
- Mentees and mentors will fill out evaluation forms at the end of each quarter.

Program expectations:

- Attend mentee training session  
- Meet with your mentor at least once every two weeks (approx. 1 hour)
- Attend social events/group mentorship meetings if possible
- Fill out evaluation forms
- Report any (potential) concerns to the leadership team (see contact info below)
- Abide by the Physics Department Values and Code of Conduct

The information that you provide in this form will be used only to help pair you with mentors, and will not be shared in any way otherwise.

Thank you for your interest in the Undergraduate Mentoring Program! Please do not hesitate to contact the members of the Undergraduate Mentoring Program Leadership Team with any questions.

Sebastian Dawid (Postdoc, dawids@uw.edu)

Jordan Fonseca (Graduate Student, jmbf@uw.edu)

Matt Ketkaroonkul (UG, mattketk@uw.edu)

Adam Niewiadomski (UG, agn7@uw.edu)

Gerald Seidler (Faculty, seidler@uw.edu)

Steve Sharpe (Faculty, srsharpe@uw.edu)