Faculty mentors are a key element in the Honors Program. The subject matter expertise of mentors is necessary to guide Honors students as they begin inquiry-based research and creative work. Recognizing the role that mentors play in helping students identify projects and carry them to completion, we ask that students invite a faculty mentor before they can move forward with their senior project and conduct their capstone activities.
In research on what makes higher education successful for students, the support of a faculty mentor is often cited as one of the most consequential and positive experiences an undergraduate can have. “A mentor who encouraged your goals and dreams” was the single most important correlate to success in work and life for college graduates (2014 Gallup-Purdue Index). Working with a mentor doubled a graduate’s chances of finding professional and personal success after they earned their degrees, and this has been shown to be a lifelong benefit to students who engage in mentored projects.
From the perspective of faculty, mentoring undergraduate students can lead to key benefits and opportunities:
- Undergraduate students can participate in faculty research projects, increasing productivity and promoting grant opportunities, including funding from UHM sources such as UROP and INBRE
- Diverse student perspectives and experiences can enhance research projects
- Presentations and other communications by students can reach new audiences to share information on research and programs
- Faculty teaching skills are enhanced by the experience of mentoring students
- Mentoring young students is personally fulfilling and over time can lead to expanded professional and career networks