Become a PIP Mentor

Peers In Pride (PIP) Mentor Applications For Spring 2026

Mentor Applications are open now and due Monday, November 17, 2025.
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Apply to Be a Mentor

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the peer mentors do?

After completing the Spring training seminar, the PIPs welcome new students to campus in the Fall. PIPs are paired with 2-4 incoming students to provide 1-on-1 mentoring and the mentors plan monthly group social events throughout the fall semester.

What does the training involve?

Peer mentors (PIPs) attend a 2.5 hour weekly seminar (required) in the Spring semester. They learn skills related to peer counseling and assisting students in social and academic development. They also learn about LGBTQ+ history, identities and meet resource department leaders on campus. The training seminar is required to be a mentor.

What makes a mentor a good fit for this program?

• Commitment to facilitate the academic, personal, and social development of new students.
• Belief and willingness to be an instrumental part of our in community support network.
• Willingness to explore, understand, and challenge own belief systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a willingness to learn advanced communication skills.
• Willingness to share own experiences for the purpose of self-growth and supporting others.
• Academic responsibility (including readings, discussion, field trips, and journal entries).
• Strong record of meeting obligations (e.g., follow through, timely arrival, regular attendance).
• Have completed at least one semester at SJSU and plan to enroll in the Spring 2026 AND Fall of 2026.
• Demonstrate a cumulative GPA of 2.50 (with limited exceptions made).

What benefits do mentors receive?

• Option to receive 2 elective credits, PSYC 184: Directed Reading, in the Spring 2026 semester.
• Meet and network with other sexual and gender diverse students and ally students.
• Meet and network with faculty and staff who are identify along the sexual and gender diverse spectrum or allies.
• Potential letters of recommendations for future jobs or graduate school.
• Receive training in numerous areas centering identities related to gender and sexuality, including: interpersonal communication skills, active listening skills, identity development, history and political movements, experiences of intersectional identities, cross-cultural communication skills, campus and community resources (including field trips), and time management, stress management.
• And Swag!!!!

Where can I learn more?

Consider talking to one of our current PIP mentors to learn more or meet with one of the program coordinators:  Bonnie Sugiyama (bonnie.sugiyama@sjsu.edu) of the PRIDE Center or Stephanie Preston (stephanie.preston@sjsu.edu) of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)