The next Mentorship Academy is scheduled on Tuesday March 21, 2023, as a virtual event from 9 am to 3 pm.

Register Here

The primary goal of the Mentorship Academy is to increase the recruitment and retention of undergraduates in BioMade disciplines (i.e. engineering, manufacturing, sensor development, advanced materials, etc.) by preparing mentors to create an inclusive and supportive workplace environment. Through the use of interactive theatre vignettes, discussion, and mentorship planning activities, the Mentorship Academy will increase mentors’ skills in supporting all students, including those from underrepresented groups.

High-quality mentoring is a critical component to the success of undergraduates engaging in research projects or internships, particularly for underrepresented students. Faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and industry personnel who provide guidance and support to undergraduates are critical to building confidence in students’ skills and identity, that ultimately result in persistence in engineering and manufacturing fields.

To help ensure undergraduates have a positive academic research experience or industry internship, the Mentorship Academy provides academic and industry mentors with opportunities to learn about, and reflect on, mentoring strategies when hosting an intern. Importantly, the training will encourage participants to move beyond defining a mentor as simply an advisor/trainer, to a more holistic definition as someone who works with students to build the skills they need to pursue a career, help students prepare for next steps in their career, and serves as an advocate and support system during the internship experience, with the ultimate goal being a positive experience that results in a larger workforce pipeline in advanced manufacturing.