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Professional Mentoring Program through Virtual Media: Challenges and Impact
Rana Khan
Arhonda Gogos
Heloisa Siffert
Agenda
UMUC and Biotechnology Professional Science Master’s (PSM) Program
Mentoring program at UMUCOverview
Sustainability
Process
Evaluation of the program
Program Launch and Results
Testimonials
Challenges and Future Plans
UMUC is one of 11 accredited, degree granting institutions in the University System of MarylandOffers about 15 graduate degree programs completely online43% of total students were minority in 2008In FY2009,>196,000 online course enrollments
University of Maryland University College
Interdisciplinary‐ combines rigorous study in science or mathematics or technology with skills‐based coursework in business, management, policy, law or other fields. Emphasis on group work involving employer‐based projects. Strong emphasis on close ties with the industry and graduates with well‐rounded skills.
Biotechnology Professional Science Masters (PSM) Program
Dept of Ed Grant‐Project Model
Design, develop and disseminate a web‐based mentoring program for UMUC graduate students threaded through the curriculum of a PSM degree program.
Bridge the gap between the industry and academia while supporting the academic efforts of diverse students.
UMUC DOE Project‐Goal
Features of the Mentoring Model
Provides industry guidance to the student from the onset of the program
Embedded in the program
Offered at graduate level
Discipline Independent
Utilizes Web‐based technologies that enable easy access and participation, provide flexibility and easier management of resources
Key Participants
Mentees
Biotech students
Mentors
Biotechnology Professionals
Mentor Assistants (MA)
Graduates of the program
Mentor Assistants Lead (MAL)
Graduate of the program
Mentoring Process
1. Students in degree program (within 18 credit hours)
2. Apply and are selected for the mentoring program
3. Assigned a mentor
4. Complete a Professional Action Plan (PAP)
5. Advised by the mentor with
assistance from a mentor assistant
MA/MAL Roles and Responsibilities
Mentor recruitment
Student selectionApplication screening
Interview
Mentor and Mentee Orientation
Reminders and Updates‐encouragement
Conflict Resolution
Assessment collection
Sustainability of the Model
STUDENTSMENTORS
ProfessionalMentoring Program
GRADUATESMENTOR ASSISTANTS
INDUSTRY
Mentoring Platform
http://psmmentoring.umuc.edu
Public areaProject Overview
Forms
AB
Private area
Evaluation1. Semester Assessment Forms for mentors, mentees and MAs
– Satisfaction with their interactions– Suggestions for improvement – Recommendations on curriculum changes
2. Comparison between mentees and non participants:– Semester GPAs – Course completion (courses taken vs. successfully completed) – Capstone project performance – Time to degree completion
3. Within the group of mentees, look for trends across:– Specializations– Demographics
4. Follow mentees’ careers after graduation
Participants Profile31 pairs of mentors‐mentees completed the Spring 2010 semester. 15 mentees
joined the mentoring program in Fall 09 and 16 in Spring 10.
Self employed Private sector Academia Government0
5
10
15
20
25
Mentor Affiliation
# of mentors (n=31)
Male Fem ale0
5
10
15
20
25
G ende r
# o f mentees (n=31)# o f men to rs (n=31)
Participants Profile
Grades from Spring 2010Grade distribution for participants vs. non‐participants
Participants 83% (n=30)Non‐participants 79% (n=220)
Average course completion for:
Not a significant difference according to z‐test
A B C P F FN W I0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
Grade distribution: % classes per grade for Spring 10
For participants (n=61)For non-participants (n=405)
grade
% c
lass
es
Participants 3.62 (n=26)Non‐participants 3.18 (n=181)
Average semester GPA for:
Significant difference according to t‐test(confidence level 96.5%)
Sample of Program Assessments25 of 31 mentees and 19 of 31 mentors responded to the questionnaire.
Strongly Agree Agree
Slightly Agree Slightly Disagree
Disagree Strongly Disagree
02468
1012
The mentor is helping the mentee develop a long-term plan for career development or career change.
mentees (N=25)mentors (N=19)
# pa
rtici
pant
s
Sample of Program Assessments
Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor02468
101214Overall, how would you rate the mentoring program at this point in time?
mentees (N=25)mentors (N=19)
# of
par
ticip
ants
Strongly Agree Agree
Slightly Agree Slightly Disagree
Disagree Strongly Disagree
02468
101214
The mentor broadened the mentee's view of the biotechnology field (e.g. shared current developments, introduced them to new career possibilities).
mentees (N=25)mentors (N=19)
# of
par
ticip
ants
Sample Suggestions‐Program Assessments Mentees
• Provide guidelines or helpful suggestions as to what the mentees should be learning/accomplishing.
•Have webcasts about the mentors: how they got into the industry, their background and current projects.
Mentors
• Facilitate interaction with other mentors/mentees.
• Better pairings: improve questionnaires for mentors/mentees; involve mentors/mentees in the process.
Mentee Testimonials
What do you like best about the program?“I like that it gives me a reason to stop procrastinating about my career/educational future.”
“The opportunity to … get a sense of what businesses are actually involved in and what opportunities exist.”
“The networking aspects and how I have learned a lot about the industry that is not taught in the classes.”
“That I can acquire information regarding my concerns about working in the field of biotechnology, a field that I have no experience in...”
Challenges and Future Plans
Challenges• Recruiting more mentors (alumni)
• Recruiting more students
• Document issues and implement recommendations
• Compatible pairing of the mentor‐mentee
Future Plans• Ensuring a consistent level of interaction between the mentor and student
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Dissemination and Expansion to other programs
Acknowledgements
Deb Schroeder Sarah Pick
Yulia Nemchinova Ranee Rotter
Garth Gerstein Aparna Gurugunti
Mentoring Program Websitehttp://psmmentoring.umuc.edu/
Contact
Questions?