Compass Mentorship

Two students talking at table

College comes with a lot of firsts. Your mentor has been there.

College can bring new routines, new expectations and plenty of questions. Compass Mentorship gives you someone to turn to as you find your footing at DVC.  

When you’ve been here for a while and you’re ready to share what you’ve learned, it gives you a meaningful way to help someone else. 

What is Compass Mentorship?

Compass Mentorship connects you one-on-one with another DVC student for guidance, encouragement and connection. You can join as a mentee and learn from someone with DVC experience or become a mentor and help someone navigate college with greater confidence.

Compass Mentorship is brand new to DVC for fall 2026. The program makes use of the Mentor Collective platform. Check out the student experiences from other colleges partnering with Mentor Collective.

Watch Students Talk about Mentoring

How can a mentor help you succeed at DVC?

Find your footing with someone who’s been there.

Your mentor can offer perspective and practical guidance based on their own DVC experience. With a mentor in your corner, you can:

  • Ask questions about classes and college life
  • Talk through challenges with someone who understands
  • Learn strategies for managing your responsibilities and staying on track
  • Discover resources, opportunities and ways to get involved
  • Feel more confident and connected at DVC 
Find a Mentor

Why become a mentor at DVC?

Make your experience matter.

You already know that college can be exciting, demanding and sometimes overwhelming. As a mentor, you can turn what you’ve learned into meaningful support for someone finding their way. You’ll have opportunities to:

  • Help someone feel welcome and supported at DVC
  • Share the lessons and strategies that helped you
  • Offer encouragement when challenges arise
  • Strengthen your communication and leadership skills
  • Build connections across the DVC community
  • Make a difference in someone’s college experience 
Become a Mentor

How does Compass Mentorship work?

You’ll begin by registering and completing an online survey about your interests, background, academic goals and experiences. Your responses will help identify a match based on the interests and experiences you share.

If you join as a mentee, you’ll be matched with an experienced DVC student who can listen, offer encouragement and help you navigate college.  

If you join as a mentor, you’ll be connected with someone who can benefit from what you’ve learned.

One connection can make college feel a little easier to navigate.

What is expected when I participate in Compass Mentorship?

Mentorship works best when you show up, stay in touch and make each conversation count. You and your mentor or mentee can decide how you connect and what schedule works for you, with a shared expectation that you connect at least once each month.

    • Complete your matching survey: Set aside approximately 5–10 minutes to share your interests, experiences and mentorship preferences.  
    • Prepare for your mentorship: You may complete an optional 30-minute course covering what to expect and how to get the most from your experience.  
    • Connect at least once a month: You and your mentor can choose to communicate by text, email, phone, video chat, or in person.  
    • Take an active role: Ask questions, share what you’re working through, and reach out when you need guidance.  
    • Respond and follow through: Stay engaged with your mentor and honor the communication expectations you set together.
    • Log your conversations: Record your check-ins through your participant dashboard or Mentor Collective’s email and text prompts.  
    • Know what your mentor can provide: Your mentor can offer perspective, encouragement and connections to helpful resources, but they are not a tutor, counselor or academic advisor.  

    • Complete your matching survey: Set aside approximately 5–10 minutes to share your background, experiences and matching preferences.  
    • Complete your mentor training: Plan for approximately 45 minutes of self-paced training before you are matched.  
    • Commit 1–3 hours per month for each mentee: This typically includes conversations, follow-up and responding to messages.  
    • Connect at least once a month: You and your mentee can decide how and when you communicate.  
    • Make the first move: Reach out after you are matched and continue checking in regularly.  
    • Listen before advising: Ask thoughtful questions, share relevant experiences and help your mentee identify their own next steps.  
    • Connect your mentee with support: When a question calls for specialized help, guide your mentee to the appropriate DVC resource.  
    • Log your conversations: Use the participant dashboard or Mentor Collective’s email and text prompts to record your check-ins.  
    • Speak up when additional support is needed: Use the platform to alert the program when your mentee may need help beyond your role. 

How do I join Compass Mentorship?

Choose the experience that’s right for you.

Looking for guidance and support? Choose find a mentor below to sign up.

Ready to share your DVC experience? Choose become a mentor below to sign up. 

Find a Mentor Become a Mentor

Compass Mentoring FAQs

  • All first-year students are eligible to be mentees. All currently enrolled students who have successfully completed 24+ units can be mentors. 

  • When you sign up, you’ll complete a survey about your interests, experiences, academic goals, and what you want from your mentorship. Your responses help identify someone who shares relevant interests or experiences and has similar expectations, including how often you’d like to connect. The survey also provides conversation starters so you and your mentor or mentee can begin getting to know each other. 

  • You’ll connect at least once a month, with the option to meet more often if that works for both of you. Together, you’ll decide when and how to stay in touch, whether by text, email, phone, video chat, or in person. 

  • You can talk about whatever is shaping your DVC experience, from adjusting to college and managing your time to staying motivated, getting involved or finding the right support. Your mentor can listen, share what they’ve learned and help you think through your next move. They aren’t a tutor, counselor or academic advisor, but they can help connect you with the right DVC resources when you need specialized support.

  • Mentor Collective is the online platform that supports Compass Mentorship. You’ll use it to register, complete your matching survey, and access resources that can help you make the most of your mentorship. 

  • Compass Mentorship is DVC’s mentorship program, while Mentor Collective provides the platform used to support it. When you select find a mentor or become a mentor, you may see the Mentor Collective name as you complete your registration and matching survey. 

  • You’ll complete a survey about your interests, experiences, academic goals and mentorship preferences. After you’re matched, your participant dashboard can serve as a home base for conversation guides, mentoring tips and program check-ins. 

  • No. You and your mentor or mentee can decide how you’d like to connect, such as by text, phone or video chat. The Mentor Collective platform provides resources and check-ins to help support your experience.