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Two students laugh and dance amongst a crowd outside the Frieson Black Cultural Center building.

BRIDGE Mentoring Program

Building Relationships through Impactful Dialogue, Growth, and Empowerment

The BRIDGE Mentoring Program connects first-year students with trained peer mentors who provide guidance, support, and campus connection throughout the academic year. The BRIDGE Mentoring Program is designed to support students in their transition, academic success, and overall engagement on campus. Through one-on-one mentoring, participants build meaningful connections, develop confidence, and gain access to campus resources.

BRIDGE is a year-long mentoring experience that combines personalized peer mentor support with monthly student success enrichments, social mixers, community service initiatives, and engaging events designed to foster academic growth and a strong sense of community.

By participating in the BRIDGE program, you will:

  • Make friends and connections with other students.
  • Strengthen leadership skills.
  • Gain career readiness and transferable skills.

Mentoring Matching Process

  • Mentors and mentees complete an application indicating interest, goals, and preferences.
  • Applications will be reviewed by program staff.
  • Mentor and mentees are paired based on academic major, career interests, personal goals, and shared experiences. Mentees are able to request a specific mentor if they want.
  • Mentors will reach out to their paired mentee once matching is complete.

 

Mentoring Application Process

Apply to be a mentor

  • Sophomore, junior, and senior students enrolled at UT for the 2026–2027 academic year.
  • Must have a 2.5 GPA or higher and in good academic standing.
  • Able to commit for one academic year (unless enrollment status changes)
  • Availability to attend required training, enrichments, and programs.

Applications for mentors will open February 23–March 20, 2026. Interviews will take place April 6–17, 2026.

Apply to be a BRIDGE Mentor

 Apply to be a mentee

  • Freshman enrolled at the UT for the 2026–2027 academic year.
  • Availability to attend required enrichments and programs.

Applications for mentees will open over the summer 2026.


For more information or questions, please contact the program coordinator.
Jaelyn Cargle
Jcargle@utk.edu
865-974-6861