Communication studies professor and Love Evolution’s advisor, Dr. Vickie Harvey, has been working with members of Love Evolution to created a new mentor program at California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State). The program connects lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer (LGBTQ+) students with LGBTQ+ mentors from the campus and the Turlock community.
The program seeks to help create strong bonds between the LGBTQ+ students and their mentors, helping them find the kind of support that they need as students and young adults.
With the help and determination from Love Evolution’s former president, Jon Grammatico, and the club’s current Vice President, Stephanie Landeros, (junior, Sociology) Dr. Harvey was able to present the LGBTQ+ Mentor Program idea to several committees this past summer to bring the program to Stan State.
“We went to several different committees and presented the ideas to them. They all really liked it, Dr. Harvey actually really got the ball rolling with her committees,” Landeros said.
The mentor program closely resembles the current Faculty Mentor Program at Stan State, but focuses especially on the LGBTQ+ student community on campus.
“The idea came out of wanting more support for students who identify underneath the umbrella of LGBTQ on campus, we modeled it after the Faculty Mentor Program, but with an emphasis on LGBTQ students” Landeros said. 
Current president of Love Evolution, Shelby Zahn (senior, Gender Studies) finds the program to be a very crucial addition to a campus located in California’s Central Valley. Zahn hopes the program will help students understand their identities and to be able to feel comfortable in their own skins.
“It’s a great program, especially in such a conservative area (…) there’s not necessarily a very accepting attitude off-campus and sometimes even on campus,” Zahn said. “It’s very hard for people to express who they are.”
Zahn believes the program will provide the guidance and support every student needs to succeed in school, provided by mentors who are similar to the students and can easily relate to them.
“A mentorship, especially with someone who is the same or similar sexuality as you or gender can help a lot. They can help guide you and show you the ropes of what you can do to not feel so powerless,” Zahn said.
The members from Love Evolution are really pleased with the new opportunities they are creating for all LGBTQ+ students on campus.
Love Evolution’s secretary, Samantha Williams (senior, History) sees the program as a sign of hope and support for those in need of some mentoring in their lives.
“It’s pretty awesome for people who don’t have any support,” Williams said. “It’s nice to have someone to talk to, and understands you and supports you.” 
Those who understand the difficulties are connecting and taking advantage of the mentor program. Most of the members of Love Evolution already signed up and now they wait to see who will be their mentor.
The mentor program kicked off this semester, and students interested in joining can contact Dr. Harvey at [email protected] or at her office located in Demergasso-Bava Hall room 130.