Graduate Student Mentors

Overview

Graduate Students from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health volunteer as mentors for our public health scholars during our summer program. Each scholar is matched with a mentor based on mentorship style, shared interests, academic pursuits, and career goals. 

Oftentimes, scholars are placed as interns at organizations that are also hosting graduate students, creating additional opportunities for mentorship and connection.

Throughout the summer program, group events and activities are organized to facilitate networking in a casual setting, allowing scholars to engage with multiple graduate mentors. Beyond these events, scholars are expected to meet with their graduate student mentor at least 3 times over the course of the 8-week program.

For questions: Email Dr. Andrea Salcedo, Public Health Specialist, at asalcedo@ph.ucla.edu

Become a graduate student mentor

Interested in mentoring public health scholar over the summer? Fill out the form below and we will notify you when our registration opens in Spring 2027.

Group Events and Activities

  • Graduate Mentor Social

    Scholars and mentors come together the first week of the program to meet and build community over dinner.

  • Friday Lunches

    Mentors are invited to join us on campus at UCLA for catered lunches with our team and scholars.

  • Additional Activities

    Graduate Mentors are invited to join workshops on campus at UCLA and in the community, including optional afternoon activities like yoga on campus, our Environmental Justice Toxic Tour, Research Poster Practice and the End of Program Celebration and Research Poster Showcase

Hear from previous Graduate Student Mentors

  • Joana (JoJo) Fernández, MPH, MSW

    "As an alumni of the UCLA Public Health Scholars Program, serving as a mentor means that I get to support students through a program that provided me a platform to learn more about graduate school, public health careers, and health priorities. Supporting students through their own journey includes talking to them about my experience through the program and helping them make decisions that best serve their own personal and professional values and goals. Witnessing the mentees growth throughout a short span of 10 weeks confirms that the program is building leaders that are equipped to solve the world's more pertinent health issues."

  • Catherine Cortez, MPH

    "UCLA Public Health Scholars is an incredible program for undergraduate students to gain exposure to a broad range of public health topics, expand their local and national professional networks, and reflect on what public health career path aligns best with their personal, professional, and academic goals. This program is especially dedicated to cultivating peer and mentor relationships through workshops, panels, social events, and an end-of-program celebration banquet! As a mentor, it has been so amazing to witness the growth of passionate, collaborative public health learners and leaders in just 8 weeks, year after year."

  • Arnold Dimas, MPH

    "Participating as a Graduate Student Mentor was an opportunity for me to give back to an amazing program. As an alum myself, I understand the unique opportunity that the UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program provides to students who are curious about public health. From their internships, to professional development, field trips, working on research, exploring a global city, and connecting with their cohort, students are able to have a truly rich experience throughout the summer. Being a mentor was an exciting part of that process because I got to connect with my mentees about their experience learning new topics, working in the field, developing new skills, and because overall I got to be someone they could process this experience with. I can confidently say this program has done so much for me, and it's a full-circle moment to be able to do my part and give back!"

  • Nana Sarkodee-Adoo, MPH, MSW

    "The UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program might be intended for undergraduates, but I also benefited greatly  as a mentor. The two students I was paired with are both brilliant and I have no doubt that they will each impact the world for years to come. It's been great to continue the relationship with them both and to see what they've gone on to do since completing the program!"

  • Ryan Assaf, PhD, MPH

    "UCLA's Public Health Scholars Program is a wonderful opportunity for students around the United States to get first hand experience in Public Health and its various Departments. I truly enjoyed speaking to the students about Epidemiology, working with my fantastic mentee, and was beyond grateful to be involved with the students and team to make this program possible.”

  • Monique Gill, PhD, MPH

    "As a Program Associate, I was able to contribute to the larger program design, including activities related to team building and connecting Scholars to graduate student mentors. Our mentoring and team building activities were not only a lot of fun, but they also gave Scholars a chance to build strong, meaningful, and lasting relationships with each other and with graduate students already on the public health path.”