The BEACoN Research Mentoring Program, run by the Office of University Diversity & Inclusion, exists to educate, empower, and advocate for underrepresented students, and critically, provide them with funded undergraduate research opportunities working one-on-one with a faculty member (~10 hours/week for Winter and Spring quarters).
As such, we are now soliciting applications for faculty mentors (tenure-track and lecturers) at the link below (deadline: Mon, 10/18 by 5:00 pm). While the program focuses on the mentorship of underrepresented students (both in research and professional development), research proposals on all topics will be considered. Projects do not have to focus on diversity, equity, or inclusion, though this would be considered a strength. Please keep in mind that these proposed projects should be able to be executed virtually, should the COVID situation worsen (and regardless must follow all safety guidelines re: COVID). Projects that can be executed virtually also enable students who are not residing in SLO to apply.
Selected proposals will be advertised to students via the BEACoN website, who would then apply by Wednesday, 11/17. Faculty who receive student applicants will then get to select which student they would like to have as a mentee/research assistant. Matches will be finalized by the end of Fall quarter, with research mentorships during Winter & Spring quarters of 2022.
The faculty who are selected for this research mentoring initiative will receive $1,000 per Winter/Spring quarters ($2,000 total) through a Faculty Service payment (taxed). Students who are matched for this initiative will receive $1,500 per Winter/Spring quarters ($3,000 total) distributed via financial aid. Student mentees/research assistants are expected to have 100 hours of work per quarter. New this year, OUDI has also created a travel fund to which pairs can apply for support.
Click here for an example of how selected project descriptions will be posted on our website for students to choose from.
Click here to learn more about last year’s BEACoN Research Students’ testimonies and presentations.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION using the link or QR code and your Cal Poly email address when it prompts you for a Microsoft ID by Monday, 10/18 at 5:00 pm: tinyurl.com/BEACoNFaculty22
Faculty who were BEACoN Research Mentors last year are welcome to apply, but please know that priority may be given to faculty mentors who would not be participating for a second consecutive year.
We look forward to reading your applications and hope you consider serving our underrepresented students in this way! For any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Kelly Bennion, BEACoN Faculty Fellow with the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion at kbennion@calpoly.edu.
