Diversify Dietetics Mentor Program

What Sets Our Mentor Program Apart from the Rest?

We’re proud to offer a semi-structured, virtual mentor program built around community, intentional matching, and equity-centered support. Here’s what sets our program apart:

Thoughtful, Personalized Matching

We believe strong mentorship starts with connection — and that no one knows your strengths better than you do. This year, we’re introducing a more collaborative matching process:

• Mentees will complete a detailed profile highlighting their background, interests, and goals.

• The Mentor Program Team will organize and group those profiles by theme or area of interest.

• Then, mentors will review the grouped mentee profiles and share who they believe they’re best positioned to support. Remaining profiles will be matched by the Mentor Program team

This process not only ensures that mentors feel confident in their match, but also empowers them to choose mentees whose needs and goals align with their expertise and lived experience.

And as always, our team will provide structure, guidance, and check-ins throughout the process to make sure everyone feels supported along the way.

This Year’s Program: Shorter, More Focused and Built for Impact

This year’s program is intentionally streamlined to make space for meaningful connections — whether one-on-one or in a group.

We know that strong relationships drive professional growth, and our program offers the best of both worlds:

• 1-on-1 Matching (Sept–Dec): Mentors and mentees build a deeper mentoring relationship through monthly conversations focused on specific goals and challenges. These personalized connections allow for more tailored support and long-term impact.

• Mentor Pods (Sept–Dec): Engage in dynamic monthly group sessions with other mentors and mentees. These pods bring the DD community together around shared interests like entrepreneurship, clinical practice, and public health — offering space to learn from one another, share experiences, and grow your network.

• Spring Workshop (February): All participants will be invited to two virtual professional development and networking sessions in February and May.

• Spring 1-on-1 Matching: 1-1 matches have the option continuing to meet or having a wrap up conversation in the spring.

Whether you're new to mentoring or a returning mentor, this format gives you flexibility and a range of ways to connect, support, and grow.

Mentor Program Schedule for 2025 - 2026

Mentor & Mentee Recruitment- August 8 - August 27 - see below

Notification of your Mentor Program Match - Week of September 22nd

Mentor Program Kick Off & Pod Meeting - Thursday, September 25th - two times available 6pm Eastern/3pm Pacific and 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific

Mentor Program Pod Meeting - Thursday, October 9th - two times available 6pm Eastern/3pm Pacific and 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific

Mentor Program Pod Meeting - Thursday, November 13th - two times available 6pm Eastern/3pm Pacific and 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific

Mentor Program Pod Meeting - Thursday, December 11th - two times available 6pm Eastern/3pm Pacific and 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific

Mentor Program Spring Workshop - Thursday, February 12th - only one time 6:30pm Eastern/3:30pm Pacific

Centering Equity and Accountability

We believe in mentorship that goes beyond career guidance — one that prioritizes creating a safe, affirming space for students and professionals of color in dietetics. While mentors of all backgrounds are welcome, we expect all volunteers to be actively working to understand the systemic barriers in our field. We ask every volunteer to reflect on how privilege, bias, and lived experiences shape the mentoring process and recommend the Dietetics Profession Privilege Quiz & “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”

If you're unsure whether you're ready to serve as a mentor after reading the article, we encourage you to continue your personal learning and revisit the opportunity in a future cycle.