Be a Faculty/Staff Mentor

Resources/FAQ on Mentor

• Who can be a mentor?

  All faculty members (full- and part-time) and staff are invited to be a mentor.

• What kinds of projects can be done?
  • We encourage entires from every field.
  • All sorts of projects! They could be in-class projects that sprout into something more substantial, or a project idea proposed by a student. If you already have ideas for student projects, that’s great too!
  • Projects don’t have to be pure research, either. We have had work from across the campus, including art installations, mobile phone apps, literature reviews, and scientific research projects. What matters is that the project gives students the chance to do original, independent work that can be presented to their peers.
• Why should I be a mentor?
  • You get to work closely with highly motivated students
  • You can explore new ideas and projects on a deeper level
  • You gain valuable experience as an educator
  • You can meet colleagues in different disciplines
  • You have the satisfaction of seeing your students excel
• What does being a mentor look like?
  • Working with your mentee in developing a research question/project idea
  • Guiding your mentee with questions/issues that come up as they complete their project
  • Giving feedback on your mentee’s work, including their abstract and final presentation
  • Attending any venues/conferences where your student’s work is being presented
  • Serving as a reference for your student as they pursue further academic opportunities
  • Encouraging your mentee through the process!
• How do I find students to mentor?
  • The research symposium committee is compiling a list of faculty/staff who would like to mentor students. This list is available to students looking for a mentor.  Sign up.
  • In the fall, we will be holding a mixer event on campus where interested students can seek out potential mentors and projects.
  • Also, word of mouth is a great way to recruit students. We encourage you to announce to your classes about the symposium and that you are interested in working with students on independent projects.
• Can I have more than one student mentee?

  Yes! You can even have a group of students working on a project together.

• What’s the time commitment?

  Previous mentors typically spend 1-2 hours per week working with their mentees, though it varies with the nature of the project and the student. Regardless of how much time, it’s recommended that you have regular meetings with your student to make sure they’re on track.

• What kind of support do I have as a mentor?
  • To help students with their work, the symposium committee will be holding workshops on how to write an abstract and give an oral presentation/poster. We’ll also have a session before the symposium for students to practice giving their presentations and receive feedback. These workshops are meant to supplement any guidance/feedback you give to your student.
  • If your student needs funding for supplies, currently we are accepting applications for funding.  Up to $100 with some possible exceptions of more,  Fill out this form with your student Funding Request Form.
  • Feel free to reach out to members of the symposium committee if you have any questions/concerns. Also, consider contacting other faculty/staff who are currently mentors. Their contact info is available on the Mentor List.
• Any final advice for mentors?

  It is vital that you keep your mentee on track with their work so they meet the various deadlines for the symposium. The best way is to be in regular contact with them, especially over the holiday breaks (when progress tends to slow down).

Contact Information

Amy Hellman - ahellman@occ.cccd.edu

Jerome Fang - jfang5@occ.cccd.edu

Organizing Team

Melissa Archibald, Rachel Berman, Erik Bender, Diane Brown, Katherine Donahoe, Kelli Elliott, Robert Ellis, Jerome Fang, Melissa Ferguson, Neil Godfrey, Erin Gratz, Ulrike Green, Amy Hellman, Sharyn Konick, Jon Mochizuki, Duy Pham, Brent Rudmann, Teresa Scarbrough, Michael Sutliff, Marie Tsaasan, Laura Wagner, and Lane Whitlow