Mentoring Opportunities

We are committed to providing high quality mentoring relationships and experiences for PHUSP participants. PHUSP will take place from June 10 - August 2, 2024. Mentors will need to meet weekly with their scholar(s) from June 10 to July 26.

Apply to be a mentor

What is the role of a PHUSP mentor?

  • Provide guidance and support to the scholar for academic, career and professional development. 
  • Meet with the scholar for at least 30 minutes weekly from June 10 to July 26. Most meetings should be in person. 
  • Guide the scholar to prepare poster that they will present about their internship at CDC the week of July 29. Preparing the poster may require more than 30 minutes per week during the two weeks leading up to the presentation. 
  • Liaise with the scholar's internship supervisor, as needed.

What are the eligibility criteria for mentors?

  • University-based faculty members and researchers, or public health professionals at a government agency or non-profit organization in the Pittsburgh area
  • Motivated to mentor one or two undergraduate students from June 10 to July 26.
  • Able to fulfill the role of a mentor, as outlined above.
  • Public health training preferred, but not required.
  • Completed mentor application.

Note that co-mentoring is allowed and encouraged!

Why should I serve as a mentor? 

As a PHUSP mentor, you will: 

  • Inspire the next generation of public health leaders.
  • Demonstrate your support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
  • Play an essential role in the success of PHUSP.

How are scholars and mentors matched?

PHUSP will carefully match scholars with prospective mentors. Scholar placement is dependent upon several factors, including the scholar’s interests and skills, the mentor’s expertise, the topic of the internship, and program need. Due to these factors, there is a small possibility that not all interested mentors will be assigned a scholar.

What can you tell me about the internships?

  • Scholars are placed in research- or practice-based internships.
  • Most research-based internships are based at Pitt, while practice-based internships occur in community-based organizations around the city.
  • To the extent possible, internships relate to health equity, maternal and child health, environmental justice, or climate and health.
  • If a scholar is placed in a research-based internship, typically the mentor serves as both mentor and internship supervisor since the scholar will be assigned to work on a research project that the mentor leads or is involved in.

Questions? 

Contact Terri Washington.