This forum focuses on effective mentoring strategies across various academic levels in higher education. Sessions will cover fostering undergraduate research, supporting students, and strengthening mentor-mentee relationships. Attendees will explore practical approaches to mentorship, intergenerational learning, and creating supportive environments for student and faculty development.
You’re welcome to attend one or more sessions based on your interests and availability.
*Ten lucky in-person attendees will win a $50 UH Mānoa Bookstore gift card! Be sure to enter the drawing at the door.
Register Now
Date: April 14, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location:
UH at Mānoa, Bachman Hall, Board of Regents Meeting Room 106 A/B. 2444 Dole Street, Honolulu, HI 96822 [Campus Map]
Zoom option available for off-island and off-campus attendees
RSVP by Friday, April 11
Who should attend: Students (undergraduate and graduate), Post-doctoral researchers, faculty, staff, and administrators.
At-a-Glance Schedule
| Time | Speaker | Presentation Title |
| 9:00 a.m. | Maenette K. P. Ah Nee-Benham, UH West Oʻahu | Power of Mentoring and the Importance of Moʻolelo |
| 10:00 a.m. | Tyler Ray, UH Mānoa College of Engineering | Navigating the Undergraduate Research Mentorship Journey |
| 11:00 a.m. | Katherine Aumer, UH West Oʻahu | Mentoring for Success: Strategies for Traditional and Non-Traditional College Students |
| 12:00 noon | Seung Yang and Noah Perales-Estoesta, UH Mānoa | Mentoring Undergraduate Research and Creative Work: Opportunities & Strategies |
| 1:00 p.m. | Wendy Kuntz, Kapiʻolani Community College, Biology | On-Ramps to Research: Cultivating Undergraduate Researchers |
| 2:00 p.m. | Laura E. Lyons, Shana Brown and Jairus Grove, UH Mānoa | Mentoring Graduate Students: A Panel Discussion |
| 3:00 p.m | Hazel Gedikli, UH Mānoa, Office of Faculty Development and Academic Support | Faculty Mentoring Program: Perspectives and Best Practices |
Session Descriptions
Power of Mentoring and the Importance of Moʻolelo
9:00 – 9:45 AM
Maenette K. P. Ah Nee-Benham, Chancellor, UH West Oʻahu
Through the sharing of stories and lessons learned we explore how reciprocal mentorship, intergenerational learning, and collaboration ignites passion, innovation, and rigor. Become a part of a network of story makers who define and redefine learning and teaching, scholarship and engagement, service and stewardship that inspires engaged leadership for today’s post-secondary communities.
Intended Audience: Pre-tenured faculty, Tenured faculty, Staff, Administrators
Navigating the Undergraduate Research Mentorship Journey
10:00 – 10:45 AM
Tyler Ray, Assistant Professor, UH Mānoa College of Engineering
A reflective discussion on effective undergraduate research mentoring strategies and challenges. This Q&A-focused session shares practical approaches to fostering student development while balancing guidance and independence in the research environment.
Intended Audience: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Postdoc, Pre-tenured faculty, Tenured faculty
Mentoring for Success: Strategies for Traditional and Non-Traditional College Students
11:00 – 11:45 AM
Katherine Aumer, Associate Professor, UH West Oʻahu
This presentation focuses on strategies for mentoring both traditional and non-traditional college students. It highlights the importance of mentoring for academic success and personal growth, with insights from mentoring research. Key topics include understanding the unique challenges of diverse learners, fostering identity, belonging, and a growth mindset, and building trust. The presentation offers practical mentoring strategies, such as flexibility for non-traditional students and encouraging independence for young students. It concludes with personal mentoring insights and invites discussion on successful strategies and challenges faced in mentoring.
Intended Audience: Postdoc, Pre-tenured faculty, Tenured faculty, Staff, Administrators
Mentoring Undergraduate Research and Creative Work: Opportunities & Strategies
12:00 – 12:45 PM
Seung Yang, Assistant Director and Noah Perales-Estoesta, Program Coordinator of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, UH Mānoa.
Join staff from UH Mānoa’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) as they explore mentoring undergraduate students in research/creative work. This session will cover key topics such as recruiting students, securing funding, and developing a successful mentorship plan. Learn practical strategies to support and inspire the next generation of scholars.
Intended Audience: Postdoc, Pre-tenured faculty, Tenured faculty, Staff, Administrators
On-Ramps to Research: Cultivating Undergraduate Researchers
1:00 – 1:45 PM
Wendy A. Kuntz., Professor of Biology & Ecology, Coordinator, Academic Subject Certificate in Sustainability, Kapiʻolani Community College
Dr. Kuntz will describe strategies used at Kapiʻolani Community College for providing students from diverse backgrounds with an entry point into research, including the community-based Research Intensive (RI) Laboratories and 1-credit research experience courses. These models engage students with real-world issues, fostering academic growth and culminating in presentations at the Student Undergraduate Research Fair. Join and explore how these may be adapted to other contexts.
Intended Audience: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Postdoc, Pre-tenured faculty, Tenured faculty, Staff, Administrators
Mentoring Graduate Students: A Panel Discussion
2:00 – 2:45 PM
Laura E. Lyons, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, UH Mānoa, Shana Brown, Director of Honors Program, UH Mānoa and Jairus Grove, Professor, Political Science, UH Mānoa
This panel of faculty mentoring award recipients will share best practices for graduate student mentorship. Participants will learn strategies for fostering strong mentor-mentee relationships, supporting research growth, and guiding professional development. This session offers valuable insights for faculty looking to enhance their mentoring skills and support graduate student success.
Intended Audience: Faculty, Staff, Administrators (graduate students are welcome to attend too)
Faculty Mentoring Program: Perspectives and Best Practices
3:00 – 3:45 PM
Hazel Gedikli, Interim Director and Faculty Specialist of Office of Faculty Development and Academic Support, UH Mānoa
This presentation will introduce the Faculty Mentoring Program at the Office of Faculty Development and Academic Support. In addition, it will provide guidelines to discuss how mentors can support colleagues, making incremental and critical differences for individual faculty and for the entire university community. It will also offer resources for junior faculty for strategically seeking mentorship within and beyond the university community throughout their professional career.
Intended Audience: Pre-tenured faculty, Tenured faculty, Administrators
Thank You to our Supporters
This event is made possible through the collaboration between the UH Mānoa Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship, UH Mānoa Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Excellence, UH Hilo Office of the Chancellor, UH West Oʻahu Office of the Chancellor, and the UH Community Colleges Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges.
In addition, this event is supported by the SEED Award from the UH Mānoa SEED office.
* Drawing open to legal U.S. residents of Hawaiʻi, who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Winner will be contacted by email. Payments of all federal, state and local taxes are solely the responsibility of the winner. Winners will be required to complete a tax status form.