Proposal Title
Pilot mentorship project promotes equity and diversity in STEM
Session Type
Presentation
Room
Somerville House, room 3315
Start Date
13-7-2023 11:30 AM
End Date
13-7-2023 11:50 AM
Keywords
mentorship, leaky pipeline, EDI, research
Primary Threads
Education Technologies and Innovative Resources
Abstract
Minority groups are chronically underrepresented in both faculty and post-graduate roles in academia. Part of this problem begins with the known socioeconomic and cultural barriers to finding and obtaining research experiences on campus. Our mentorship program targets early steps in student career development to mitigate systemic and invisible barriers that lead to lowered diversity in later stages of academia. By providing opportunities targeted towards and allocated for equity-seeking groups, the program works towards increasing inclusion in academic spaces.
Here we present a two-pronged mentorship and research micro-experience program which uniquely supports undergraduate students in obtaining and succeeding in research positions. The mentorship component of the program focuses on student’s professional development and cultivating community. Mentees and mentors meet once a week to learn about different career paths and opportunities in science. Mentors use crafted tools to help students develop their skills and knowledge that will help them navigate academic and professional spaces. In addition, the micro-experience component provides a 40-hour paid internship for students, helping them to take the critical first step in gaining research experience. Student and mentor feedback from the program demonstrates the community building and sense of belonging this program has fostered for underrepresented populations in academic spaces.
Elements of Engagement
We will be conducting a group discussion on some of the more challenging scenarios we use during the EDI workshop for mentors. This shows how the program isn’t just something to support students, but also to make our staff, graduate students, and faculty better and more aware of ongoing equity issues.
Pilot mentorship project promotes equity and diversity in STEM
Somerville House, room 3315
Minority groups are chronically underrepresented in both faculty and post-graduate roles in academia. Part of this problem begins with the known socioeconomic and cultural barriers to finding and obtaining research experiences on campus. Our mentorship program targets early steps in student career development to mitigate systemic and invisible barriers that lead to lowered diversity in later stages of academia. By providing opportunities targeted towards and allocated for equity-seeking groups, the program works towards increasing inclusion in academic spaces.
Here we present a two-pronged mentorship and research micro-experience program which uniquely supports undergraduate students in obtaining and succeeding in research positions. The mentorship component of the program focuses on student’s professional development and cultivating community. Mentees and mentors meet once a week to learn about different career paths and opportunities in science. Mentors use crafted tools to help students develop their skills and knowledge that will help them navigate academic and professional spaces. In addition, the micro-experience component provides a 40-hour paid internship for students, helping them to take the critical first step in gaining research experience. Student and mentor feedback from the program demonstrates the community building and sense of belonging this program has fostered for underrepresented populations in academic spaces.