This activity is mandatory for 10 TxARM participants, all students except the students from PVAMU.

Students will visit one of five HBCUs for one week. All expenses will be paid, including travel, lodging and meals.

Participants will be paired with a faculty member at the selected HBCU based on their field of study (Table 1) . The participant will shadow that faculty member as they perform their duties in teaching, research and service. In turn, the faculty member will mentor the TxARM participant for that week. It is hoped that the established short-term (1 week) mentor-mentee relationship will develop into a long-term collaboration.

Potential HBCU Matching Based on Field of Study
Field of Study HBCU
Chemistry PVAMU; Tuskegee
Engineering PVAMU; NC A&T; Tuskegee
Entomology NC A&T; Tuskegee
Marine Biology DSU; Hampton
Wildlife Science DSU; NC A&T; Tuskegee

 

Mentor/Host Expectations:

Host the TxARM student for one week by allowing him/her to shadow their daily routine as a faculty member in teaching, research and service; scheduling specific times for mentor/mentee conversations; planning the schedule of events (orientation, tours, presentations etc.)

Provide advice, guidance and feedback to the TxARM student as he/she prepares to present a PowerPoint on his/her research and class lecture

Help to identify resources that will assist the TxARM student in his/her research and teaching

Student Expectations:

In order for the TxARM participant to receive obtain the faculty experience at an HBCU, the student will:

  • Go through orientation, whereby he/she is introduced to faculty/staff in the department and present his/her academic background and expectations of the visit
  • Receive a tour of the whole campus
  • Receive a tour of one or more research facilities on campus – where he/she will be given an opportunity to dialogue with other scientists and observe how to build relationships with federal funding agencies
  • Shadow the faculty at meetings and/or service activities, such as advising students
  • Assist with research and/or a lab class
  • Develop a PowerPoint to teach a class in his/her field
  • Give a seminar on his/her research to students, faculty and staff in the department

After the one week HBCU faculty-shadowing experience, the TxARM student will

  1. Evaluate the mentor/host
  2. Make a presentation to TxARM PIs and CoPIs on the shadowing experience