Mentor and Scholar Training

  • Summer18 training session focused on a general overview of how to maximize the success of diverse engineering students. The training session presented three mindsets that can help maximize the success of our students. They are Growth mindset, Purpose and Value, and Social Belonging. Mentor+ advisors learned to encourage a growth  mindset in students to maximize persistence in the face of challenges, help students make connections between their academic endeavors and their personal values to maximize interest and motivation, and regularly check in with students to ensure that they feel like they belong.
  • Fall18 training session was designed to guide mentors to have effective first one-on-one meetings with each CAPS scholar. The training session focused on how to build rapport with them and encourage them to come to the mentor with both traditional challenges (i.e., failing an exam) and nontraditional challenges (i.e., feeling like they don’t belong). The script-like meeting guidelines and checklist were provided for Mentor+ advisors to facilitate their building rapport with their mentees (scholars), especially including the reasons why their mentee decided to pursue their degree, and the goals that they have for themselves.
  • Spring19 training session/workshop focused on leadership. Co-PI Allen led the workshop for both mentors and
    scholars and provided insights on being and becoming a leader based on her prior experiences as a student, faculty
    member, and now as Dean.
  • Fall 19 training session focused on exploring the intersectionality of various social identities by 1) learning the difference between diversity, equity, and inclusion, 2)learning about gender identity and expression, and 3) learning ways to mentor CAPS scholars utilizing Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth framework. 
  • In the spring 20, due to the COVID-19, the program has developed the first online training for faculty mentors. Spring 20 training session focused on growth mindset in more detail. The training uses "active learning" techniques and multimedia highly. 
  • Fall 20 training focused on peer mentorship, involving both faculty mentors and scholars. Our training gives mentors language that previous research has shown can encourage growth mindsets in students.
  • Fall 21 training focused on understanding the resources at Cal State LA as a part of strategies essential success
  • Spring22 training focused on informational interview and career preparedness. Also, mentors share their views and/or experiences using scenarios that often occur at workplaces.
  • Fall 2022 training: To support scholars attending the 2022 GMiS (Great Minds in STEM) conference and enhance their success in interviews with potential employers, the program provided guidance on navigating the conference and offered résumé critiques focusing on industry of their interest. Additionally, scholars were connected to college-wide events and research opportunities, such as the OpenHMI Social Robot Workshop, where they engaged in cutting-edge research and broadened their knowledge in emerging fields.
  • Spring 2023 training: Rather than hosting a separate training session, the program directed scholars to professional development workshops. These included résumé review sessions and other activities designed to enhance their skills and equip them with essential tools for their future careers.
  • Fall 2023 training focused on individual résumé critiques and informational interviews to further prepare scholars for professional opportunities.
  • Spring 2024 training focused on preparing scholars for the workforce through targeted sessions designed to facilitate a smooth transition into their professional careers. Faculty mentors participated as panelists, offering valuable insights and guidance to support scholars in this critical phase.