The PPHC Mentor Program is designed to help current Pre-Health students better connect with their intended professional program. Students will be paired with a mentor from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and get an inside look into their classes, involvement, and day to day experience. They will have the opportunity to learn firsthand what it takes to be considered a competitive and compelling applicant for their chosen program.

Mentors and mentees will hold regular meetings and maintain communication throughout the three-month program. Students will have the opportunity to participate in volunteer opportunities with their mentor, attend social outings such as grabbing coffee together, and sitting in on TTUHSC lectures or other unique educational experiences.

It is our hope that mentees will complete the PPHC Mentor Program with a better understanding of what it takes to prepare for, apply and enter their health professions program, as well as their intended career. We would also hope that this program will facilitate outreach, creating a network of support for students across TTU campuses to ensure future success.

Contact Expectations for the PPHC Mentor Program:

Communication between mentors and student mentees is essential to the success of the program. The focus of the communication is the health professions experience. You will be expected to meet a minimum of three times throughout the semester (about once a month), in one of each of an Academic Event, Service Opportunity, and Social Interaction. Plus, one or more of your choosing for any additional meetings.  

Examples for each might be:

·         Academic Event: Inviting your Mentee to sit in on a class lecture.

·         Service Opportunity: Volunteering with an organization for community or health care outreach.

·         Social Interaction: Grabbing coffee to discuss how to best prepare for a future in health care.

After each event the mentee will request an online form from me, Rachel Poole, to complete based on the event so our office may keep a record for each group and ensure participation and quality of experience.

Mentee Roles:

• Take an active interest in their future profession.
• Observe, take in information, and set new goals based on their new understanding of the rigors of their chosen health career track.
• Stay engaged with their Mentors and open to professional development.

Mentor Roles:

• Encourage and support mentees in their education. 
• Share important aspects of life in a health professions program using personal experiences and insight, including the demands, rigors, enjoyment, and personal satisfaction.
• Recommend activities to mentees that will help them develop personally, academically, and professionally.

The Health Professions Mentor Program has twice been featured in the Daily Toreador:

• Daily Toreador January 28th, 2014 for the Spring 2014 program.
• Daily Toreador October 1st, 2013 for Fall 2013 program.

Feedback from those who have participated in the program in the past has been very positive. Here's what some mentees have said:

• I got to sit in on a hands lecture which was really interesting! Then I sat in on the associated lab with the class and got to see how OT students learn to perform the skills discussed in class.
• My experience in the program was great! My mentor gave me incredible advice on everything, from the interview to great electives that helped her.
• I sat in on Wound Care lab and was able to actually participate.
• My mentor took me on a tour of the SimLife Center. It was such an awesome experience. She showed me all of the different "patients" that I will eventually be working with and how they operated.
• I have received numerous invitations to attend such activities such as the Dean Speeches, and additional classroom experiences to meet instructors.

Coming Soon

Mentor Resources

The application for the Fall 2024 Mentor Program is not yet open.

For more information, please contact Rachel Poole at rachel.poole@ttu.edu.

Application Open - May 1st

Application Close - May 31st

Mentee Notification - June 15th

Meet & Greet - TBD

For more information, please contact Rachel Poole at rachel.poole@ttu.edu.

The PPHC Mentor Program selects mentees based on a holistic review process that includes experiences, attributes, and academic metrics as well as the value an applicant would contribute to the Mentor Program overall.

For more information, please contact Rachel Poole at rachel.poole@ttu.edu.