Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Departmental Honors

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to design and implement a student-led engineering mentorship program directed by the members of the Utah Gamma Chapter of Tau Beta Pi on the Utah State University (USU) Logan campus. Retention data show that many undergraduate students who start engineering programs change their degree before graduation due to academic and social challenges that may be mitigated by the support of a peer mentor. The Tau Beta Pi Engineering Mentorship Program selects and trains upperclassman mentors to effectively mentor underclassman engineering students.

The design of the mentorship program is an application of backward design, where each decision is informed by a set of intended outcomes related to student retention and success in engineering. Student mentors are selected from across the College of Engineering and trained to maintain effective professional relationships with their mentees. Mentorship takes place during mentor-led group sessions on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, offering mentors and mentees the flexibility to discuss what is most relevant to their personal and professional circumstances. Using Canvas digital tools hosted by USU, mentors and mentees are given a variety of resources to address critical factors to student success such as time management and maintaining mental health. Canvas is also used to document mentorship activities and collect feedback on student mentors’ and mentees’ experiences with the program.

In this report, decisions on program operations are outlined and evaluated based on their implementation during the 2025-2026 academic year. For each element of the program, the lessons learned are outlined and possible changes and adaptations to the program are proposed. Leadership roles and a semester mentorship timeline are also provided to give future program directors the resources necessary to manage the program successfully in perpetuity.

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Faculty Mentor

Cassandra McCall

Departmental Honors Advisor

Nick Roberts