Engineering MentorsAlyse RidpathGraduate Coordinator

Engineering Mentors• E-Mentors:

• Graduate/Undergraduate Intercultural Mentoring in Engineering

• Goals:• Enhance participants’ cultural adaptability• Increase interaction opportunities• Promote international integration

& domestic education

Background• Dean’s Education Initiative• Engineering International Engagement• Annual funding:

• $30,000 Engineering 38%

Ag & Life Sciences 6%

Business 16%

Design 7%

Human Sciences 5%

Liberal Arts & Sciences 26%

Other 2%Iowa State’s International Student Population

Initial Implementation• Recruitment & Training

• Event Format: large & small group interaction

• Clusters: 2 graduate mentors & 3-5 undergraduate mentees

Mentors:Graduate International

Students

Mentees:Undergraduate Domestic

Students

Mentors:Graduate Domestic Students

Mentees:Undergraduate International

Students

Program Expenditures

• Graduate support

• Mentor training

• Large group events

• Cluster meetings

Event Format

Cluster Meetings Large Group Events

Interaction opportunities for students from different clusters

Clusters meet every 2-4 weeks throughout the

academic year

Cluster Meetings• Clusters meet every 2-4 weeks throughout the

academic year

• Coordinated by mentors

• Opportunity for discussion

• Meeting Reports• E-Mentors website• Program communication

• Activities• Lunch, dinner• Laser tag• Bowling• Movies

Large Group Events• Program wide engagements

• Planned by coordinators

• Interaction opportunities for students from different clusters

• Events• Kick-Off Event• Football Game and Tailgate• Hockey Match & Pizza• Men’s Basketball Game• Virtual Reality Application (VRAC)

Demonstration & Dinner

Program Assessment

• Surveys• Pre• Post

• Focus Groups

• 2012-2013 Participation:• 32 clusters • 64 graduate mentors

• (15 domestic/49 international)

• 125 undergraduate mentees• (100 domestic/25 international)

Feedback• “I learned about some of the issues that affect foreign undergraduates,

such as language barriers, customs / traditions, etc.”

• “It is a great opportunity to share different cultures with American students.”

• “I also got the opportunity to be more involved in American society.”

• “It would be nice if the individual group meetings were more structured.”

• “Clear goals of the program would help the mentors.”

• “Help mentors develop mentoring skills.”

Lessons Learned

• More Structure• Increase planned

events• Large & small• Prompts

• Training Sessions• Facilitate education • Development of

community • Encourage retention

• Pairings• Co-mentors & clusters• Time availability

Current Implementation

• Mentor Training• 3 detailed sessions• Big picture, program goals

& details, culture sharing• Mentor empowerment

Current Implementation

• Program Structure• Monthly large group

events• Graduate student

interaction• Semi-structured activities• Funding incentives

Current Implementation

• 2013-2014 Participation:• 30 clusters • 60 graduate mentors

• (12 domestic/48 international)

• 215 undergraduate mentees• (176 domestic/39 international)

• Clusters• 2 international graduate mentors & 5-8 domestic undergraduate mentees

• 2 domestic graduate mentors

& 5-8 international undergraduate mentees

Alyse Ridpath & Ben McCarty

Engineering Mentors Program Coordinators

College of Engineering112 Marston Hall

Iowa State UniversityAmes, Iowa 50011

ementor@iastate.edu515-294-1884 (phone)

515-294-9273 (fax)