Information For Faculty

Thank you for your interest in the Student Academic Mentor program!

If you teach USEM 1000, USCH 1000, UCOR 1000 or UFDN 1000, you are eligible to select a Student Academic Mentor for your class. Broadly stated, academic mentors role model interest in course content and learning, offer resources regarding learning strategies, build mentoring relationships with class members and refer students to other campus services as appropriate.

The Academic Mentor program provides support and resources to eligible faculty who select upper-class students to be academic mentors for their classes. Below are links to the information most frequently requested by faculty. If you have further questions please contact Mary Jayne Allen Student Academic Mentor program coordinator at mjallen@spu.edu or 206.281.2553.

Course Credits for Academic Mentors

All academic mentors can receive 4000 level, graded academic credit for their work with a class.

Food Service Cards for Academic Mentors

USEM 1000 and USCH 1000 academic mentors receive SPU Advantage Points to use when meeting with class members at campus food service venues.

Funds for Class Activities

Faculty and academic mentors who work together can access funds to spend on activities with their class.

Grading Academic Mentors

Faculty members are responsible for grading the work of academic mentors.

Learning Objectives for Academic Mentors

This general set of learning objectives outlines what we hope students will take from their experiences as academic mentors.

Program Evaluation

At the end of each quarter participating faculty and academic mentors and students are asked to evaluate their experiences with the program.

Roles and Responsibilities for Academic Mentors

Position descriptions tailored to each course can serve as a guide for defining the roles an academic mentor will play with a class.

Selection of Academic Mentors

A few basic guidelines can be helpful when selecting your academic mentor.

Textbooks for Academic Mentors

Faculty are encouraged to request desk copies of course texts for academic mentors whenever possible.

Training Opportunities for Faculty

Program staff is ready and willing to meet with faculty members to discuss best practices for working with student academic mentors in classes.

Training Sessions for Academic Mentors

Academic mentors participate in a series of three or four mandatory training sessions each quarter.