College of Arts and Sciences Hosts Mentorship Development Workshop

Faculty, staff and students stand in front of a presentation slide in the Standish Room at the Science Library.
More than 20 faculty, staff and students met in the Standish Room at the Science Library for Friday's mentorship workshop.

By Mike Nolan

ALBANY, N.Y. (Feb. 20, 2025) — A group of faculty, staff and students met on Friday for a day-long mentorship development workshop hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences Committee for Leadership, Inclusion, Mentoring & Belonging (CLIMB).

Launched in 2019, CLIMB, formerly the College of Arts and Sciences Diversity and Climate Committee, focuses on creating a supportive and inclusive UAlbany community. The committee, which serves directly under Dean Altarriba, currently includes 10 faculty from across the College of Arts and Sciences who organize workshops, awards, and other student and faculty opportunities throughout the semester.

Friday’s workshop was run by facilitators from the Marine Science Laboratory Alliance Center of Excellence, a federal program that aims to assist universities and colleges in improving academic retention and diversifying the nation’s STEM workforce.

The workshop was open to any current or prospective mentors on campus looking to build their skills, specifically when guiding undergraduate students on research and scholarly work.

Workshop topics included:

  • Understanding Mentorship
  • Psychosocial Factors in Undergraduate Research Experiences
  • Ally Skills
  • Culturally Responsive Mentorin
  • Mentor Plan Development

Brian Tang, an associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, has been a member of the committee since its inception and helped organize Friday’s workshop.

He says their goal is to bring together departments across the University to share information, collaborate and develop new initiatives that support students.

“While the committee represents a diverse group of faculty, all of us care about the success of our students, which includes being good mentors,” Tang said. “This workshop was a good reminder that mentoring goes beyond just teaching. It’s also about recognizing that each student has a unique background and experience that needs to be incorporated into their path to success, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.”

Andriana Christofalos, a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Psychology, was among the attendees at Friday’s workshop. She’s starting a faculty position at Boise State University in the fall.

“I was the first in my family to attend college and relied on really good mentors who supported me and demystified the college process,” Christofalos said. “I think it’s really important for students, especially from underrepresented groups, to know that they have someone who they can lean on to ask questions and guide their journey through academia.”

Those interested in becoming involved with CLIMB are encouraged to reach out to committee chair Michitake Aso via email.