Technology faculty highlight mentoring strategies on NSF-funded panel

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

The panel series included a diverse lineup of presenters discussing various aspects of mentoring. Speed ​​and Keith-Vincent’s presentation touched on the importance of effective mentoring, presenting approaches and support mechanisms for building successful mentoring relationships. The most important findings concerned the value of mentoring and the importance of providing support to both the mentee and the mentor throughout the relationship.

“Effective mentoring is not just about pairing people up, but about fostering a dynamic and mutually beneficial connection that evolves,” said Speed, associate vice president of Student Advancement.

Speed ​​also states that unlocking the potential of mentoring means that both mentor and mentee receive the guidance, resources and feedback necessary to develop.

“For the mentee, this means receiving encouragement and building self-confidence,” Speed ​​added. “As a mentor, regular visits to develop relationships are essential. Effective mentoring leads to a stronger relationship that benefits those involved and contributes to the growth and strength of the broader community.

Speed’s research revealed a critical need for effective mentoring. They wanted to be surrounded by experienced mentors and peer mentoring support. The emphasis on peer mentoring was extraordinary,” Speed ​​said. “Even those who were already recognized as peer mentors wanted to find ways to improve their mentoring skills.”

Dr. Erin Lynch, principal investigator of the principal grant and leader of QEM, facilitated engagement with diverse stakeholders and worked with NSF to increase the diversity of the series.

“With the expertise of Louisiana Tech professionals, the Back2School Toolkit series was a great start to conversations about the role of mentoring in faculty and student development,” Lynch said.

The purpose of this series was to inspire improvements in the way we create and maintain mentoring relationships by presenting practical strategies and encouraging discussion about best practices in mentoring. Project managers Dr. Diaola Bagayoko of Southern University and Heidi Adams and Jamie Newman of Louisiana Tech.

“It was a pleasure to share best practices and discuss the impact of mentoring on programming in our region,” said Keith-Vincent, associate dean for research, outreach and innovation. “I am grateful to the colleagues who engaged by offering advice that participants could apply to benefit both mentors and mentees in their educational and career paths.”

“It is important for Louisiana Tech to be an example of not only talking about excellence in STEM studies, but also showing what it looks like,” said Dr. Henrietta Williams Pichon, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences. “I am especially proud of Dr. Keith-Vincent and Speed ​​for their work in this area as it elevates the entire state and Delta region.”

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