SUPERB GRAD MENTORS Sheila Humphreys Summer 2004, UC Berkeley

The Survey Says: SUPERB mentoring takes 5-10 hours per student Many graduate mentors have supervised undergraduate researchers or have been Graduate Student Instructors After mentoring, graduate students suggest the following training: How to select a good project for undergraduates How to get the students quickly up to speed and started on their project Guidance on the amount of mentoring students need Most faculty mentors are somewhat involved to very involved Most challenging aspects of SUPERB mentoring: Getting the student up to speed Defining a project

Graduate Mentors say: Motivation for being a SUPERB mentor: “Get some hands-on experience of defining a project properly for students and working together with them to achieve the goal defined” “Remembering the feeling of being lost when first starting research and hope to make it less scary for other students” “Opportunity to make an impact on student preparing for graduate school” “Get free research help!” Aspects of the SUPERB mentoring that provided satisfaction: “Seeing the student’s growth and excitement when the concepts “clicked.” “Giving the student an independent role, with the sense of satisfaction of contributing to a larger effort.” “Exchange of ideas; help with research; able to impart my knowledge and experience to someone else.”

A Few Helpful Tips Initiate contact with your student before they arrive on campus When creating a project, Think “Can they write a technical paper or present a poster on this 8-week research project?” Have ideas about how to adjust the level of the project Include milestones throughout the summer Be prepared to continue the project or create a new related project, in case the student finishes early To get the student up to speed, create a training plan for the first week. Talk with other graduate students or faculty who have mentored undergraduate students

SUPERB History Founded in 1990: EECS grad students & SH Motivation: diversity in graduate pool Ugrad research=admission to grad school Proposal to UC Systemwide for diversity$ NSF REU funding Results: SUPERB alums go to grad school

Structure of Program 8 weeks of full time research: what is full time for you, for your student? Faculty and graduate student mentoring Grad Mentoring is the KEY! Final presentations: posters and reports

Grad Mentor Tasks Define a good project Consult with your own ADVISOR Not too hard and not too easy Feasible in 8 weeks Develop goals and milestones Part of your group’s big picture

Effective Coaching Communicate your expectations Don’t hover but be available Set up regular meeting times: more at the beginning Offer technical assistance Develop support from within your whole group Find a temp. substitute if you go away

More Mentoring Introduce your student around Share your own experience of grad school Talk about your own goals Go to lunch or dinner at I-House Invite your student to Donut Hour etc Come to SUPERB barbeque: July 2 Sensitivity to cultural differences (alcohol) Bring your group to Poster Session Aug 7

Presenting Research Results Help student make great posters! Practice poster presentations Make sure student presents once at your group meeting Track progress of write-up of Final Report Review drafts of Final Report

SUPERB Staff here to serve! Erika Tate (EECS)overall coordinator for 14 EECS students; Beatriz Lopez-Flores & Tiffany Grant coordinate 5 COE students Susan Gardner resource for CHESS Students Sheila Humphreys and Susanne Kauer=backup staff Mayra Nieves=I House contact

HOW can staff help? General information, referral, housing Organize weekly meetings TROUBLE SHOOTING Program logistics: payroll, keys, cmptrs, Social events or issues Research progress Graduate School and Grad Fellowship Advising

Rewards for Mentors Management experience Choosing & defining good research problems Project monitoring Time management--- FOSTERING YOUR STUDENT’S DEVELOPMENT $800 stipend payable end of August

Evaluation Data Strong points: goals, orientation, overview of research at Berkeley “Feasibility of project for 8 wks”=mixed Faculty: “Feedback, Interest in students”=excellent Faculty: “Helpfulness, Approachability”=good-excellent