AGEP & KCP Mentoring Program
	AGEP/KCP Frequently Asked Questions

Alliances for Graduate Education & the Professoriate (AGEP) and

 King Chavez Parks Future Faculty Fellows (KCP) Mentoring Program

Mission & Goal 

The purpose of the mentoring program is to provide academic and personal support to diverse, high-ability undergraduates during the first and second year of college.  Mentors are outstanding graduate students who direct mentees to various campus resources,  encourage them to excel in their program studies, and consider future careers in the professoriate. To provide this support, we endeavor to create partnerships between undergraduate groups and graduate students on Wayne State University’s campus.  The graduate mentors will coach mentees through the stages of development and serve as a role model. 

Expectations for Mentors:

• Attend roundtable meeting by-weekly.
• Contact your mentee on a regular basis every two weeks.
• Attend the Annual Wayne State University Undergraduate Research Symposium with your mentee at the McGregor Conference Center (WSU Campus)
• Complete survey questions and mentor log for reporting mentee’s progress
• Attend one AGEP or KCP conference during the academic year
• Discuss career and graduate school goals and opportunities

Benefits of Being a Mentor:

• Gaining experience relevant to your future role as a faculty member that you can document on your CV
• Opportunity to identify a student who might work with you on a research project in the future (There is funding available for undergraduate research projects that you and your mentee could apply for.)
• Community service that you can include on your CV
• Helping to increase diversity at the undergraduate and graduate level

AGEP/KCP Mentoring Program – Frequently Asked Questions

Who’s eligible to be a mentor?

Wayne State students enrolled in Doctoral or Master’s programs who are AGEP Scholars (Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate) or KCP Scholars (King-Chavez- Parks Future Faculty Fellowship Program).  For eligibility requirements please go to the following websites: www.gradshool.wayne.edu/current/AGEP.html or www.gradschool.wayne.edu/funding/kcp/atwsu.html, respectively. 

How long is the commitment to mentor?

A one-semester commitment is required, but a two-semester commitment is preferred. 

Who will I be matched with?

You will be matched with two undergrad mentees on the basis of your major.  However, a match between majors may not always occur, so it should come as no surprise if mentors are matched with a mentee whose major is different.  

How much time will this require?

You should reserve enough time to meet in person with your mentor/mentee (2-4 times per month) that includes individual sessions and to attend a roundtable meeting (every two weeks); plan on exchanging emails and/or other communication that is relevant.

What documentation needs to be completed by mentors?

Mentors need to complete online survey questions that should be completed every two weeks and turn in a mentor log at the end of the semester that complies notes from all sessions with mentees.

How much and how often are mentors paid?

Mentors will be paid based on the number of sessions that are conducted with their mentees and conferences attended associated with the AGEP and KCP programs.

Mentors will submit all documentation to the Graduate School at the end of the semester.  The Payroll department will mail checks for compensation sometime after the paperwork has been submitted.

What training is involved?

Once a semester, new and returning mentors/mentees will be required to attend an orientation.

I have not had contact with my mentee in a while and I am concerned that the relationship is not progressing.

Every mentor should make the effort to develop a relationship with their assigned mentees.  Mentors are asked to arrange the meetings and set objectives.  At the first meeting you should discuss preferred methods of communication, work schedules and availability and even set up rough dates for the meetings, which should help to avoid problems of this kind.  However, some mentees may need more support than others, and thus some mentees may have to make more of an effort to establish a relationship than others.  But, if mentors are still experiencing problems, they should contact Crystal Turner at (313) 577-5065 or email her at cturner@wayne.edu.   

Where should the meetings take place?

Mutually convenient places which suit both parties are best.  Mentors tend to have meetings in the library, cafes, training rooms etc.  It is often best to meet somewhere impartial and to consider noise levels.   

Do you have any tips and advice about how to get the most from the program?

Mentors should be organized, committed, be prepared for meetings, set obtainable objectives, be open and assertive, be punctual and re-schedule with plenty of warning, give the relationship time to gel, and attend the required workshops and events.   

What if I want to join with the mentoring program?

Please contact Crystal Turner, Program Manger at (313) 577-5065 or email at cturner@wayne.edu.