TCU’s lunch roulette program give students a meal, a conversation, and the opportunity to meet a mentor.

Student Development Services matches students with TCU faculty and staff for a one-on-one casual lunch conversation.

“Something that is important in the later years of college is to find mentoring relationships,” said Keri Cyr, director of sophomore and junior year programs.

Students are matched with faculty based on the student’s major and availability. The program tries to match students with faculty members they would not normally meet through their classes.

“We do the best we can to find matches that we think will be neat for both people,” Cyr said.

Cyr said the program has received positive feedback from both students and faculty.

“I love the experience,” said Addie Bien, a sophomore supply chain management major who participated in the program in the fall of 2015. “It encourages me to go out there and meet more staff and faculty.”

Through the program, Bien was matched with Cortney Gumbleton, who works in the counseling and mental health center at TCU. The two share a love of the outdoors.

“Since Addie and I met during lunch roulette, we’ve developed a friendship and say, ‘hi,’ whenever we see each other on campus,” Gumbleton said.

Gumbleton said the program provides a unique opportunity for students from all walks of life to interact with faculty or staff members whom they have never met.

“[Addie] knows that if she ever has any questions or needs help, that she can reach out to me, and that is what is truly invaluable about this program.” Gumbleton said.

Students who have completed 53-84 credit hours are encouraged to sign up for the program. SDS will pay for the meal if it takes place in Market Square.

“It’s an hour out of your semester and you could be forming a lifelong mentorship with someone,” Cyr said.