Asian American Mentor Program
AAMP
The Asian American Mentor Program (AAMP) is designed to ease the transition of new students to UIC during their first semester. In the fall, students are assigned into groups with two Peer Mentors and 3-5 new students for personal support and to help get connected to campus resources. All AAMP mentees will also sign up for Global Asian Studies 105, a 1-credit course that will introduce you to other students, student organizations, and campus resources that will help you be successful!
AAMP activities consist of AARCC-sponsored events that include social activities, academic and cultural workshops as well as virtual group hangouts.
Please review this page if you would like to learn more and get involved! For any questions, feel free to contact Julian Ignacio, Associate Director of Development & Evaluation (ignacio2@uic.edu).
AAMP was published in:
Dr. Corinne Maekawa Kodama, Christen E. Park, and Jeffrey Alton, “Creating a Sense of Belonging in an AANAPISI Program through an Integration of Student Affairs Practice, Asian American Studies, and Peer Mentoring” in Understanding the Work of Student Affairs Professionals at Minority Serving Institutions, (Routledge, 2021).
Dr. Corinne Maekawa Kodama and Christen E. Park, “More than Academics: The Transformative Effect of an Identity-Based Peer Mentor Program for Asian American STEM Students,” in ABOUT CAMPUS: Enriching the Student Learning Experience Official Journal of the ACPA-College Student Educators International MARCH–APRIL 2021/VOL. 26, NO. 1.
Alexandra Vollman, "Asian American Students Find Academic, Cultural Support at UIC," in Insight into Diversity, February 10, 2017.
Career-based AAMP
The Career-based Asian American Mentor Program (CAAMP) is a program that seeks to connect Asian American graduate/professional UIC students with Asian American undergraduate students at UIC to support undergraduate students and recent graduaes in navigating the path toward graduate or professional schools. Unlike AAMP, which is a GLAS course, this is more like a traditional mentor program focused on helping you transition toward your next steps after UIC.
To learn more about the program, please visit: go.uic.edu/AAMP
To become a mentor, please visit: go.uic.edu/CAAMPMentors
To become a mentee, please visit: go.uic.edu/CAAMPMentee
The deadline to register to become a mentor and mentee is April 25th, 2025 at 11:59pm.
For questions, please contact Julian Ignacio at ignacio2@uic.edu.
We recruit mentors and mentees in the Spring and have formal programming that begins in the Fall. Mentors and mentees are part of small groups (two mentors and two mentees) that provide an additional support network for Asian American students as they navigate their respective career paths so that all parties involved have a space to more genuinely explore Asian American identity and culture in the context of their careers.
Summer 2024 AAMP Mentee Registration
Fall 2024 AAMP Mentee Registration
Watch a brief video on the AAMP experience: Heading link
AAMP FAQ Heading link
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General Information
What is an AAMP Session?
The AAMP sessions, which are a Global Asian Studies 105 course, Asian American Identity and Culture, meet for one hour a week during the Fall Semester, give the Mentors and the Mentees the opportunity to meet up to discuss and learn about University life and Asian American identity. Sessions cover topics that range from getting to know the UIC campus and neighborhood to in-depth discussion about Asian Americans and relationships, generation gaps. GLAS 105 will also provide students with tutors from the math and writing centers, to help you be successful here at UIC!
Who is eligible for AAMP?
Incoming undergraduate UIC first-year or transfer students who self-identify as Asian American and/or Pacific Islander are eligible to sign up for AAMP. Ethnic backgrounds may include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Thai, Native Hawaiian, Fijian, Micronesian, or other Pacific Islanders, and anyone who has an interest in the Asian American, Pacific Islander community.
New or Prospective Students Resources
FAQ
- How are the mentors & mentees matched up? Mentors and Mentees are paired up on a number of factors. The most important are major and your session day. We also respect requests of being paired by gender for religious and/or cultural reasons.
- How are the mentors chosen? Mentors go through a rigorous process of a group and individual interviews where they are chosen for their ability to connect with others, serve as a good role model, and have the desire to make a positive impact on new students.
- What is the time commitment? To be active in AAMP, you must attend your weekly session (1 hour per week) and stay in touch with your Mentor. If you are an active Mentee, you are given preference to attend the Big AAMP outings, i.e. ice skating, or a Chicago sports event (which are free of charge). AAMP runs for the duration of the Fall semester.
- Do I have to take the Global Asian Studies 105 course to be in AAMP? Yes, all incoming first year or transfer students must sign up for the Global Asian Studies 105 course, Asian American Identity and Culture.
- How many classes do I have to come to weekly? You would come to one class a week.
- Can I come to the events but not the weekly class? Preference for attending events is given to Mentees who are attending sessions and are in touch with their Mentors.
- Can I hang out in the AARCC but not be a part of the mentoring program? Yes, all UIC students are welcome to come and use our center.
- Where is the Asian American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC)? Our physical offices are located on 723 W. Maxwell St. In situations where we meet virtually, we can be found online in Virtual AARCC.
- How do I become a Mentor? Mentors are recruited in the Spring semester- if you are interested, come on in and ask for an application.
- Do I have to be a Mentee to become a Mentor? No. Not all of our Mentors were Mentees previously.
If you are interested in participating as a Summer and/or Fall Mentee for the Asian American Mentor Program, applications will be made available before the semester begins.
For more information, contact Julian Ignacio, Associate Director of Development & Evaluation (ignacio2@uic.edu).
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Summer AAMP
SUMMER Asian American Mentor Program (SAAMP)
The Asian American Mentor Program provides incoming first-year students enrolled in Summer College with peer mentors who will show you around, give you tips for college success, and connect you with campus resources. Students who join AAMP in the summer will have the opportunity to continue on with their mentors in the fall when there will be AAMP workshops, activities, and events. It’s a great way to ease the transition from high school to college at UIC!
Who Should Register?
Students enrolled in a Summer College program who self-identify as Asian American and/or Pacific Islander are eligible to sign up for AAMP. Ethnic backgrounds may include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Thai, and Native Hawaiian, or other Pacific Islanders, and/or individuals who are interested in Asian American issues.
Registration
Please visit UIC Summer College for registration details.
Questions? For more information, contact Julian Ignacio, Associate Director of Development & Evaluation (ignacio2@uic.edu) at 312-413-9653.
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Becoming a mentor
2024 Mentor Applications and Info Sessions
What is the role of an AAMP Mentor? AAMP mentors help ease the transition for incoming UIC students by assisting them in accessing campus resources, offering advice, and just being a friendly face to go to for help with student life. Topics that may be addressed range from academics, mental health, dating, family, and beyond. Our mentors are provided with intensive training and resources to become highly equipped and prepared to mentor.
Our application cycle for the 2024 AAMP Mentor cohort will begin at the end of January 2024, with application forms being made available on this website page. The following are some upcoming dates to keep in mind:
AAMP Info Sessions: Recommended for New Applicants, held in the AARCC Conference RoomFriday, January 26th from 1:30PM-2:30PM
Thursday, February 1st from 1:30PM-2:30PMReturning Mentor Application Dates for 2024Available Monday January 22; due Monday February 5th by 11:59pm
New Mentor Application Dates for 2024Available Monday January 26th; due Monday February 11th by 11:59pm
Questions? For more information, contact Julian Ignacio, Associate Director of Development & Evaluation (ignacio2@uic.edu) at 312-413-9653.
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Becoming a mentee
Who is eligible to become an AAMP Mentee?
Incoming undergraduate UIC first-year or transfer students who self-identify as Asian American and/or Pacific Islander are eligible to sign up for AAMP. Ethnic backgrounds may include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Thai, Native Hawaiian, Fijian, Micronesian, or other Pacific Islanders, and anyone who has an interest in the Asian American, Pacific Islander community.
If you are interested in participating as a Mentee for the Asian American Mentor Program, you can register for Summer AAMP 2023 via Summer College, and/or keep an eye out for our semester application for Fall 2023.
For more information, contact Julian Ignacio, Associate Director of Development & Evaluation (ignacio2@uic.edu).