Faculty Mentoring in BCHS
There are several perks for students in the Beaver College of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University, including professional academic advisors and faculty mentors. While academic advising is designed to help students find efficient pathways to degree completion, faculty mentoring is the mechanism for post-graduate planning. The primary goal of faculty mentoring is to offer undergraduate students information and support regarding professional standards and pathways to employment or graduate school after earning a bachelor’s degree.
It is the combined efforts of academic advisors (who assist students with course selection and degree completion plans) and the faculty mentors (who offer insight about moving into the professional arena) that maximize successful outcomes for health science students if they choose to engage with these support systems in a timely manner.
Three Models of Faculty Mentoring
The Beaver College of Health Sciences uses three models of faculty mentoring in our departments. Regardless of the program model, every newly-declared student has a faculty member added to their record as a program mentor or resource.
Curriculum Embedded
The Communication Sciences & Disorders, Exercise Science, Health Care Management, and Nutrition programs embed faculty mentoring within the required curriculum, often through an introductory or professional development course. The instructor serves as the faculty mentor and may bring in colleagues to speak on different topics throughout the term.
Required Course and Group Sessions
The Nursing and Public Health programs deliver mentoring to their students through a required course AND via required group sessions that take place outside of class.
1:1 Faculty Mentor Matching
The Health & Physical Education, Recreation Management, and Social Work programs match their students with faculty mentors who require individual meetings at least once per year.