SMP History

2007-2008

Funded by a Title V Grant through the U.S. Department of Education, the Peer Mentoring Program was established through the Center for Research on Teaching Excellence. Twenty-nine mentors served more than 100 mentees.

2008-2009

With the support of UC Merced's Summer Bridge Program, 29 mentors served 206 mentees.

2009-2010

This year served 274 mentees with 36 mentors.

2010-2011

This year served 215 mentees with 38 mentors.

2011-2012

Now situated within the Calvin E. Bright Success Center, and funded in part by a gift from the Bright Foundation, the program was scaled back to 12 mentors who mentored about 60 mentees.

2012-2013

After undergoing a revision process, the program was renamed the Success Mentor Program. Twenty-three mentors served 140 mentees.

2013-2014

This year served 216 mentees with 33 mentors.

2014-2015

This year served 192 mentees with 31 mentors.

2015-2016

This year served 174 mentees with 30 mentors.

2016-2017

There were 27 mentors this year.

2017-2018

2018-2019

This year served 190 mentees with 27 mentors.

2019-2020

This year served 198 mentees with 32 mentors.

2020-2021

Due to COVID-19 the program was scaled back to 15 mentors who served 121 mentees.

2021-2023

The program had 15 mentors who served mentees.

2023-2024

The Success Mentor Program opened eligibility beyond incoming freshman, to allow students to continue receiving important Peer Mentoring support for several years. The program underwent several large-scale changes to better serve evolving student needs. See our SMP Program Overview & Handbook here.

The program serves approximately 120 undergraduate mentees at a time, with 15 student mentors working for the program. We implemented Open Office Hours for students to receive help on a walk-in basis, regardless of program membership. This has encouraged and increased enrollment within the program, offered connections with several departments, and beyond. See our Fall 2025 Infographic here.