Mentors

Who are mentors?

Mentors are OSU students who support youth from Indigenous communities carry out a creative research project. These "passion" projects will be based on the youth's  interests, which are explored through field trips. Mentors are usually paired with 1-3 youth and projects may be individual or group. Check the "Showcase" tab to see examples of past projects.

Mentors will:

• EXPLORE student interests with hands-on experiences (attend field trips).

• CREATE passion projects with your students (work time).

• SHOWCASE end product (poster presentation).

• Be compensated with a stipend.

Mentors must:

• Complete Housekeeping Items:

- Youth Safety Training (short videos)

- Criminal History Check (this is a background check that goes through a 3rd party company) 

- Standards of Behavior (read and sign)

- Siletz Cohort Only- read and sign Siletz Valley High School Paperwork

- Siletz Cohort Only- Siletz Valley High School Youth Safety Training (short videos)

• Attend Mentor Training: A session that will help OSU students feel ready to be mentors.

• Attend CREATE Sessions: This is when you will work with your mentee(s) on their project. 1 absence (with notice) is allowed, but anymore will affect stipend amount and/or acceptance to be a mentor for this cohort.

• Complete program evaluations: Surveys and a focus group at the end of the program.

Winter 25 Chemawa Schedule:

This program consists of 3 phases - EXPLORE (3 field trips), CREATE (8 in-person work sessions at OSU Corvallis campus), and SHOWCASE (presentation at the OSU Ag Fair). Also included is the single mentor training session. No meetings over finals week and spring break. Some dates, times, and locations are subject to minor change. This cohort will run over the course of Winter 25 and Spring 25 terms.

• Mentor Training: Wed. Jan. 22 @ 12-5:30pm (Snell 106)

• EXPLORE

#1 Mon. Jan 27 (W4): Portland, OR @ 8am-6:30pm

#2 Mon. Feb 3 (W5): Portland, OR @ 8am-6:30pm

#3 Mon. Feb 10 (W6): Chemawa @ 1:30-5pm (mentor recommended)

• CREATE: Every Monday from 1:30-5:15pm at kaku-ixt mana ina haws and APCC. Includes team check-in and debrief. Dinner provided for those who stay after to eat with us!

#1 Feb 17 (W7)*

*Optional 10am-12pm bonding activity 

#2 Feb 24 (W8)

#3 March 3 (W9)

#4 March 10 (W10)

#5 March 31 (W1)

#6 April 7 (W2)

#7 April 14 (W3)

Optional: Chemawa Visit on Tues. April 15 at 9am-1pm (extra time to catch up on projects)

#8 April 21 (W4)

• SHOWCASE: 

  • OSU Ag Fair: Tues. May 6th @ 10am-2pm

Fall 24 Siletz Schedule: 

This program consists of 3 phases - EXPLORE (3 field trips), CREATE (8 in-person work sessions at OSU Hatfield campus), and SHOWCASE (2 presentations - 1 at Siletz and another at the OSU Ag Fair). Also included is the single mentor training session. Please note we do not meet every week and no meetings over winter break. Some dates, times, and locations are subject to minor change. This cohort will run over the course of Fall 24 and Winter 25 terms.

• Mentor Training: Fri. Oct. 18 @ 9am-3pm (Snell 106)

• EXPLORE

#1 Fri. Oct 4 (W1): Newport, OR @ 9am-3pm

#2 Fri. Oct 25 (W4): Portland, OR @ 8am-5pm

#3 Fri. Nov 21 (W6): OSU @ 10am-3pm

• CREATE: Fridays from 9am-3pm (includes commute time to/from Corvallis) at Hatfield Marine Science Center (Newport, OR). Sometimes we may meet at Siletz instead, so mentors will be notified ahead of time (commute time is about the same). Includes team check-in and debrief. Lunch provided!

#1 Nov 22 (W8)

#2 Dec 16 (W10)

#3 Dec 13 (W11)

#4 Jan 10 (W1)

#5 Jan 17 (W2)

#6 Jan 31 (W4)

#7 Feb 7 (W5)

#8 Feb 14 (W6)

• SHOWCASE

  • Siletz Cohort- Family Math Night: Thurs. Feb 20 @ 4-6pm in the small gym (Siletz, OR)

  • OSU Ag Fair: Tues. May 6th @ 10am-2pm