Shifting demographics in American higher education has created opportunities and challenges relative to mentoring undergraduate students. The changing background of the greater student population is reflected in dairy science as well. Increasing diversity in the student population has created an environment where cultural factors impact the professor-student relationship. In addition, a shift of population away from the rural lifestyle means that fewer students are coming into the university with dairy/agricultural experience. The current makeup of the student population and their prior knowledge base has created the need for different approaches to student mentoring. In the current environment, what is the essence of an effective mentoring relationship? To gain insight into this issue from the student perspective, dairy science and various agriculture majors were asked to think about people they considered their most significant higher education mentors. They were then asked to summarize what qualities they valued most highly in a mentoring relationship. This presentation will highlight the traits that characterize an effective mentor and the ingredients of a positive mentoring environment for undergraduate students.