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MENTORING PROGRAM(not active currently)
  1. Overview
    1. Purpose
  2. Objectives
  3. Description
    1. The Program
    2. The Mentor
    3. The Student
    4. Matching associates with Mentors
  1. Overview:

    1. Purpose:
                        This guide defines the Lamar University's Computer Science Department Mentoring Program including its objectives and methods. The purpose of this program is to provide support,encouragement and directions to the Computer Science Students at all stages of their educational development and to provide directions for career plans. This program is available to the Computer Science students to assist them in developing and achieving their academic goals. The mentors will encourage the students to develop both personally and professionally.

  2. Objectives:
                           This program establishes objectives for the Computer Science Department, the students, and the mentors. The prime objective for every one is to understand how to help the students succeed with their academic plans, providing them with the resources and skills needed to reach their potential. For the Computer Science Department the goals are a reduction in student attrition rate and an improvement in student course success rates. The program also gives the mentor an opportunity to give back to the community, passing on knowledge and professional experience. the mentor will have the opportunity to improve his/her leadership and communication skills.

  3. Description:

    1. The Program:
                              The Computer Science Department offers a multi-faceted mentoring program to provide support,encouragement and direction to students at all stages of their educational development.The program consists of two major components - Industrial Mentoring and Peer Mentoring.
                              Industrial Mentoring pairs undergraduates with successful people in the industry. Mentors are recruited from members of Lamar University's Industrial Advisory Board and LU alumni. Mentors are paired with students at the beginning of the academic year. Peer mentoring groups' upper-level female students with lower level female students.
                               Peer mentor groups are formed at the beginning of each semester. Mentors and students meet at the monthly meetings that are designed to help develop a sense of community among the students and to address issues of common interest.
                              Mentors and students communicate regularly via email and have an opportunity to meet at scheduled group meetings. The meetings may include a panel discussion in which mentors discuss topics of interest to students.

    2. The Mentor:
                              Mentors may be any experienced individuals who are willing to help others reach important goals. the term mentor comes from Greek mythology. Odysseus was about to leave on an extended journey and did not want to leave his son. So he assigned his friend Mentor to be his son's guardian and tutor. The mentor is a coach, counselor, advisor or facilitator. To this end the mentor will work with and assists the student with identifying development needs, discussing possible options, and weighing pros and cons of each option. The needs of the student will drive the mentoring relationship. A mentor may be assigned to more than one student. A commitment of time is critical, mentors are asked to serve for at least two semesters.

      1. Desired characteristics of a Mentor:

        To be effective , a mentor must possess a minimum set of characteristics and values.This minimum set is:

        1. Be a role model
        2. Willingness to volunteer to help or assist others
        3. Dependable, flexible and confidential
        4. Goal-oriented
        5. Communicates effectively in receiving and sending both oral and written communication
        6. Respect young people

      2. Responsibilities of a Mentor:

        Mentors are individuals who are interested in and committed to the development of the student. They are willing to take a personal interest in their academic success. Mentors maintain contact with the student to encourage involvement in projects and activities that promote self-development and growth.
        The key responsibilities of the mentor are:

        1. Meet regularly with the associate to ensure communication.
        2. Assist students in identification of expectations.
        3. Assist students in establishment of personal and academic related goals and objectives.
        4. Act as coach, counselor, or advisor to student but not as a supervisor.
        5. Assist students in exploring ideas and techniques, however final decisions and actions are left to the students.
        6. Promote the development of the relationship between the students and the faculty.
        7. Provide guidance based on past experience.
        8. Provide a brief personal profile

    3. The Student:
                              The student will have the opportunity to interact with professionals with diverse educational and career backgrounds. The students may solicit assistance from the mentor in defining academic plans and career opportunities. The amount of time required for mentoring will be based on the student needs and the Mentor availability. The student will work with the mentor in identifying his/her career path and defining short-term goals. The student may utilize the program as an avenue for networking, which could possibly leads to internships and/or full time employment.

      1. Desired characteristics of Students:

        To successfully complete the mentoring program, the students must possess the following minimum set of characteristics and values:

        1. Willingness to succeed
        2. Accept responsibility to learn from the mentor
        3. Positive attitude
        4. Meet commitments
        5. Willingness to communicate areas for improvement
        6. Flexible team member
        7. Ethical

      2. Responsibilities of Associate:

        the roles of the associates must be well understood by both the student and the mentor. Both must realize that the relationship is built on mutual trust. Interpersonal behaviors and communication skills ply a major role in how the relationship develops and progresses.
        The key responsibilities of the students are:

        1. Meet regularly with assigned mentor to ensure communication
        2. Identify personal expectations and expectations of the mentor.
        3. Establish personal goals and objectives
        4. Use mentor provided organizational networking information/contacts
        5. Be proactive in exploring new ideas and techniques
        6. Provide feedback to functional management and Human Resources concerning the effectiveness of the mentoring program
        7. Define developmental needs
        8. Follow through on mentor suggested activities
        9. Provide the mentor a brief biography.
        10. Prepare a list of questions for the mentor

    4. Matching associates with Mentors

      The team matching the students and mentors will consist of the Chair of the Computer Science Department, the Director of the Women in Computing Program and the Manager of the Mentoring Program. The team will use the information from the students and mentor profiles to generate the mentoring teams. The mentors and students are asked to give each other time to get acquainted and allowing relationship to develop into a friendship.

© 2006-2008 Computer Science Department - Lamar University
A Member of The Texas State University System