Tech faculty highlight mentorship strategies in NSF-funded panel

Tech faculty highlight mentorship strategies in NSF-funded panel

Oct 7, 2024| Faculty/Staff, General News

Louisiana Tech University faculty, Drs. Samuel Speed and Lindsey Keith-Vincent, recently presented in a panel presentation for the Back2School Toolkit series, part of a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded series in partnership with Quality Education for Minorities (QEM).

The panel series featured a diverse lineup of presenters addressing various aspects of mentoring. Speed and Keith-Vincent's presentation addressed the importance of effective mentoring by presenting approaches and support mechanisms in fostering successful mentoring relationships. Key takeaways included the value of mentoring and the importance of providing support to both the mentee and mentor throughout the entire course of their relationship.

"Effective mentoring isn't just about pairing individuals, it's about fostering a dynamic and mutually beneficial connection that evolves," Speed, assistant vice president of Student Advancement, said.

Speed also states that unlocking the potential of mentorship means both the mentor and mentee receive guidance, resources, and feedback that's necessary for growth.

"For the mentee, this means receiving encouragement and building confidence," Speed added. "For the mentor, it's essential to provide regular check-ins to develop the relationship. Successful mentoring leads to a stronger relationship that benefits the individuals involved and contributes to the growth and strength of the broader community."

Speed's research revealed a critical need for effective mentoring. They desired to be surrounded by experienced mentors and peer mentoring support. The emphasis placed on peer mentoring was remarkable," Speed said. "Even those already recognized as peer mentors were eager to find ways to enhance their mentoring skills."

Dr. Erin Lynch, principal investigator on the prime grant and leader of QEM, facilitated the involvement of various stakeholders and collaborated with NSF to enhance the diversity of the series.

"Thanks to the expertise of contributors from Louisiana Tech, the Back2School Toolkit series was a great start to conversations about the role of mentorship in faculty and student development," Lynch said.

By presenting actionable strategies and fostering discussion on mentoring best practices, the series aimed to inspire improvements in how mentoring relationships are formed and maintained. Three specific examples of programmatic mentoring in the state of Louisiana were also showcased by project leads Drs. Diaola Bagayoko of Southern University as well as Heidi Adams and Jamie Newman of Louisiana Tech.

"It was a pleasure to share best practices and discuss the impact of mentoring in programming in our region," Keith-Vincent, associate dean for Research, Outreach, and Innovation, said. "I am thankful for colleagues who engaged by offering advice that attendees could implement to benefit both mentors and mentees in their educational and professional journeys."

"It is important that Louisiana Tech be an exemplar of not only talking through excellence in STEM research, but also in showing what this looks like," Dr. Henrietta Williams Pichon, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, said. "I am especially proud of Drs. Keith-Vincent and Speed for their work in this area as it lifts up the entire state and delta region."

The insights from the panel series are expected to have a lasting impact on mentoring practices. By addressing the need for effective and inclusive mentoring strategies, the series contributed to the development of more supportive and impactful mentoring relationships in higher education.