The document outlines the structure and goals of the Student Network Group (SNG) program at a university. The SNG program aims to [1] help new students grow professionally and develop an understanding and appreciation of diversity, [2] create small groups led by a professional mentor and student mentor, and [3] explore themes of professionalism, diversity, and academic success through group activities and discussions. The professional mentors are asked to participate in four class sessions to facilitate discussions and activities around identity, workplace scenarios, power and privilege, and a wrap-up reflection. The goals are for students to recognize how identity and diversity manifest in different contexts and understand concepts of power and privilege.

1. Student Network Group
Professional Mentor Training

2. Introductions
◻ Tayah Butler
◻ Dr. Lauren Brown
◻ Melusian Wright
◻ SNG Exec Team Members

3. Management 100 History
The Problem - Strong academic foundation, but lacked
real experiences and emphasis on professionalism and
diversity.
• We needed a process designed to help new students
grow professionally regardless of their starting point.
• Avenue to engage student in the large lecture
classroom.

4. What is M100?
◻ Professionalism, Diversity & Academic Success in
Management
◻ Help new students grow professionally
⬜ Develop their understanding and appreciation of diversity
⬜ Build their ability to function effectively within an increasingly
diverse work environment
◻ Student Network Groups (SNGs) are the vehicles
for exploring these themes and embedding
diversity.

5. What are Student Network
Groups?
◻ Small groups within M100 designed to:
⬜ help new students network
⬜ attend on- and off- campus events together
⬜ create a sense of community
◻ Groups are comprised of:
⬜ One professional mentor from the community
⬜ One upperclassmen Poole student mentor
⬜ Group of M100 students

6. Real Practices
◻ AT&T
◻ Pepsi
◻ Bank of America
◻ Burger King
◻ BP
◻ Coors Brewing Company
◻ DuPont
◻ General Electric
◻ GlaxoSmithKline
◻ Ford
◻ Johnson & Johnson
◻ Marriott
◻ McDonald’s
◻ Merrill Lynch
◻ Microsoft
◻ Time Warner
◻ Pepsi
◻ Intel
◻ KPMG
◻ McGraw-Hill
◻ Citigroup, Inc.
◻ IBM
◻ 70% of Fortune 500
companies (2011)
Corporate Affinity Groups Corporate Mentoring Programs

7. Students make selection
one of 3 criteria:
1. You are a member of that group
2. You wish to learn more about the group
3. You are interested in learning more about the
challenges and issues group members face
Make sure you are comfortable with ALL 3 that you
select.

8. Sixteen Student Network Groups
◻ African-American
◻ Asian/Pacific Islander
◻ Commuter
◻ First Generation Students
◻ Gay, Lesbian , Bisexual &
Transgender (GLBT)
◻ Hispanic/Latino/Latina
◻ International Student
⬜ Students who have lived
outside of the US or students
who are interested in meeting
those students
◻ International Experience
⬜ Students who have an interest
in living and working in other
countries
◻ Men’s
◻ Military/ROTC
⬜ Students who are members or
have family that are in the
military
◻ Multicultural Heritage
◻ Non-Traditional
⬜ Students 25 years or older or
students who are parents
◻ Out of State
◻ Religion & Spirituality
⬜ Students interested in
interfaith dialogue
◻ Rural
◻ Women

9. Source: http://postsecondary.gatesfoundation.org/student-stories/america-as-100-college-students/

10. Expectations
Varying reasons for volunteering as a
mentor… lead us to one goal:
Growth!

11. How can you help?
◻ Plant a seed
◻ Be available for M100 class
◻ Communicate with your students
◻ Utilize Student Mentor and M100 Team
◻ Encourage the concept that understanding
diversity and inclusion IS part of their
professionalism

12. Logistics
◻ Activities in meeting days are similar with slight
adjustments to audience
◻
◻ Skill and class level
⬜ Monday PM – on-campus transfers and repeaters
⬜ Friday AM – first-year students (both sections)
⬜ Friday PM – off-campus transfers
Use your packet syllabi and contact list for
contact information.

13. Assignments?
While you are not expected to grade
assignments…
… students may email you to solicit feedback.

14. How to prepare
Activities will be planned, be ready to
co-facilitate with your student-mentor
-share knowledge and real experience
-stretch students beyond their comfort zones
-create “ok to make a mistake” environment

15. What are the goals of SNGs?
Our Objective: By the end of this semester we
will…
Bring students along a developmental process of
awareness of diversity, power and privilege and
how to use their awareness in constructive
behaviors commonplace in the modern work
environment.

16. Expected outcomes
We will mark our progress in steps:
1. Student will understand diversity is more than appearances.
2. Student will understand that identity is a complex concept that shifts
depending on the change of scenarios (it is salient) which can
dramatically impact how we work with others.
3. Understand that within the layers of diversity there are levels of power and
privilege (and oppression)
4. Everyone has some aspect of their identity that has power and that power
can be used “for good” in the workplace to create an inclusive and
productive environment.

17. Four Class Activities
How will we execute our objective?
There are four class sessions in M100 which address this
particular developmental process:
Day 1: Introduction to Groups and identity location
associated with the group
Day 2: Workplace scenarios that highlight shifts in
identity salience
Day 3: Diversity Forum that presents the spectrum of
Power & Privilege
Day 4: What will we take away from this M100
experience?

18. Professional & Student Mentor
Teamwork!
◻ Student Mentors are intended to serve as an on-campus
liaison between professionals and your SNG.
◻ Stay in touch (we recommend 3 check-ins)
◻ Check in to see how things are going (transition,
assignments…etc.)
◻ Provide information on NC State resources
◻ Ensure that your students are responding back to
Professional Mentor inquiries
◻ Share their experiences
◻ Work with you to facilitate group discussions

19. Class Session #1:
Diversity Introduction

20. Class Session #1: Diversity Introduction
GOAL:
Students will recognize diversity is more than
appearances.
Knowledge learned:
❏ Identity, affinity, visible diversity, invisible diversity
Activities:
❏ Identity location ice breaker
❏ Group Processing
❏ Video

21. Class Session #1: Diversity Introduction
YOUR ROLE
◻ Listen more than you talk
◻ Stimulate ideas by asking open-ended questions
◻ In your experience...
◻ Tell me about…
◻ What do you think about?...
◻ Ensure all students are participating
◻ (Insert name), you’ve been quiet. What are you
thoughts?…
◻ (Insert name), what ideas do you have?…
◻ Produce outcomes in a safe learning environment

22. Class Session #2:
Workplace Scenarios

23. Class Session #2: Workplace Scenarios
GOAL:
Students will recognize identity is salient which
impacts many work situations
Knowledge learned:
⬜ salience, implicit bias, explicit bias, stereotype threat,
harassment
Activity:
⬜ Role play scenarios
⬜ Video

24. Class Session #2:
YOUR ROLE
⬜ Keep role plays moving
⬜ Lend your personal experience from real workplace
situations
⬜ Remember mistakes are “OK” and encourage
students to try words they may not have tried
before
⬜ Stay mindful of emotional states (especially your
own)

25. Class Session #3:
Diversity Forum Workshops

26. Class Session #3: Diversity Forum Workshops
◻ Activity: Diversity Forum Workshops
⬜ SNGs and mentors will attend 1 of 4 diversity
workshops as a group
⬜ As we get closer to October, mentors will be
asked to sign-up their group for a workshop
◻ YOUR ROLE
⬜ Professional Mentors
■ Engage each group in a short discussion at the end
of the workshop to check for understanding

27. Class Session #4:
Last Class Wrap-up

28. Class Session #4: Last Class Wrap-up
◻ Activity: Class Wrap-up student presentation
⬜ Friday classes: Students will work with mentors to
recount what was learned throughout the semester in
M100. Students will be given a worksheet to help guide
reflection and will use this guide to write their final paper
for class.
◻ YOUR ROLE
⬜ Facilitate the guided reflection. Help students recall
past SNG classes/experiences. Provide verbal feedback
to each student’s reflection worksheet. If asked, review
and provide feedback on final papers.

29. Where Do We Go from Here?
◻ Reach out to your Student mentor
⬜ Establish communication methods
⬜ Discuss the classes and roles
◻ Attend the scheduled classes:
⬜ See syllabi
◻ Reach for support as needed!