Mentoring Students with Disabilities

Overview

This endorsement equips faculty and staff with the strategies necessary to mentor students effectively, with a specific focus on mentoring students with disabilities. Participants engage in mentoring foundations training, a disability-focused workshop, a discussion session with Student Disability Resources (SDR), guided applied practice, and a peer showcase, exploring both the theory and practice of mentoring. The endorsement strengthens capacity by building shared mentoring approaches, resource awareness, and a community of practice.

Who it’s for: 

Open to all faculty, staff, and administrators who mentor or work with students with disabilities.

How to earn the endorsement: 

Complete Milestones 1–5. The showcase discussion below is optional.

Milestone 1:
Mentoring Foundations (Workshop - 3 Hours)

• Details: 
  This milestone establishes a shared foundation in effective mentoring. Participants clarify what mentoring is — and how it differs from other roles — and practice developing mentoring agreements that promote clear, consistent relationships.
  
  
• Delivery Method
  In-person or synchronous online workshop
  
  
• Topics Covered
  
  • Defining mentoring (purpose, scope, boundaries)
  • Core principles: trust, student agency, aligned expectations
  • Structuring mentoring conversations
  • Mentoring agreements/compacts and philosophies

Milestone 2:
Mentoring Students with Disabilities (Workshop - 3 Hours)

• Details: 
  Expands on Milestone 1, focusing specifically on mentoring students with disabilities — understanding disabilities, maintaining effective communication, and establishing practices of inclusion through case studies and group discussion.
  
  
• Delivery Method
  In-person or synchronous online workshop
  
  
• Topics Covered
  
  • Disability diversity and common experiences in higher education
  • Applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and proactive accessibility practices
  • Identifying academic barriers, collaborating with campus disability services, implementing accommodations
  • Respectful, empowering communication, including person-first and identity-first language

Milestone 3:
Access in Action Brownbag (Discussion with SDR Students - 1 Hour)

• Details: 
  Select one focused, one-hour session based on your interests. These sessions create space to explore practical strategies, ask questions of SDR staff, and engage in peer learning.
  
  
• Example Topics
  Implementing Accommodations in Practice: navigating flexibility, documentation, and consultation with SDR. Collaborating with SDR and Campus Supports: referral pathways, consultation, and shared responsibilities. Additional sessions offered based on needs.

Milestone 4:
Mentoring Practice with SDR (Applied Practice - 3 Hours)

• Details: 
  Complete three hours of applied mentoring practice focused on access-centered strategies, through SDR-facilitated connections.
  
  
• Topics Covered
  
  • Building rapport and trust in mentoring relationships
  • Active listening and adaptive communication practices
  • Encouraging student-driven agendas, timelines, and goals
  • Assisting students in accessing resources, opportunities, and supports

Milestone 5:
Mentoring Philosophy Statement (Asynchronous, In Canvas - 2 Hours)

• Details: 
  Draft an Inclusive Mentoring Philosophy Statement articulating your mentoring values, commitments, and access-centered practices for supporting students with disabilities — time for reflection and synthesis following the workshops and applied practice.
  
  
• During Creation, You'll
  
  • Reflect on your mentoring experiences
  • Articulate your mentoring practices, values, and commitments
  • Consider ways to embed accessibility and UDL principles in document creation

For more information contact: Tamara Lucas