Live Workshop Hub: Mentorship as a Catalyst

Quick Start

Scan the QR code below or open this page on your mobile device. Scroll down directly to the unified breakout form to submit small group feedback during each block.

Workshop QR Code

Active Workshop Breakouts

Small Group Discussion Prompts

Please discuss the following prompts within your groups during the designated 7-minute blocks. Record your group’s key takeaway in the corresponding section of the Google Form below.

Block 1: Institutional Guidance & Faculty Accessibility

Research Context: Findings suggest students value faculty as primary navigators of professional identity. Mentorship is most effective when it moves beyond administrative logistics to "career visioning."
Focus Question: How can faculty transition routine office hours away from procedural questions toward career visioning and praxis?

Block 2: The Non-Traditional & Remote Student Experience

Research Context: Non-traditional students often act as their own "blockers" due to a low "margin of error" while balancing life roles. Integrated support is needed to shift the burden of persistence from the student to the institution.
Focus Question: What specific administrative obstacles can we automate or eliminate so non-traditional students don't have to act as their own blockers?

Block 3: Near-Peer Support & Horizontal Networks

Research Context: Students frequently turn to classmates for "solidarity" to cope with stressors. Near-peer mentoring provides a sustainable way to leverage shared experience without increasing faculty burden.
Focus Question: How can we structure near-peer mentoring so advanced students receive academic credit or leadership development without adding unpaid emotional labor?

Small Group Feedback Form

Complete each section of the single, unified form during the corresponding 7-minute breakout blocks.

90-Minute Workshop Schedule

00:00 - 00:05 (5 min)
Kickoff & Logistics | Facilitator Intro

00:05 - 00:20 (15 min)
Block 1 Briefing: Institutional Guidance | Presentation

00:20 - 00:27 (7 min)
Block 1 Breakout: Discussion & Form Entry | Small Group

00:27 - 00:42 (15 min)
Block 2 Briefing: Non-Traditional Students | Presentation

00:42 - 00:49 (7 min)
Block 2 Breakout: Discussion & Form Entry | Small Group

00:49 - 01:04 (15 min)
Block 3 Briefing: Near-Peer Support | Presentation

01:04 - 01:11 (7 min)
Block 3 Breakout: Discussion & Form Entry | Small Group

01:11 - 01:30 (19 min)
Block 4: Insights & Live Q&A | Large Group Synthesis

Critical Pedagogy Framework

+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                     CRITICAL PEDAGOGY FRAMEWORK                   |
|                                                                   |
|   Dialogue                  Praxis                  Mutual        |
|  (Empowering            (Reflection &             Learning        |
|  Problem-Posing)           Action)              (Social Justice)  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
                                  |
                                  v
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                      PROACTIVE MSW MENTORSHIP                      |
|                                                                   |
|  Faculty Role Models   +   Near-Peer Networks   +   Systemic     |
|  (Career Vision)           (Solidarity)             Accreditation |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

Workshop Overview & Abstract

This presentation explores the critical role of mentorship in Master of Social Work (MSW) education. Grounded in critical pedagogy, the study examines how formal and informal mentoring relationships influence professional identity and academic persistence among emerging practitioners. Findings highlight the need for equitable, developmental support systems that bridge the gap between theory and practice, especially for underserved students.

CEU Alignment & Learning Objectives

This workshop is presented at the NASW-Iowa 2026 Symposium to support continuing education units (CEUs) for licensed social workers. The learning objectives align directly with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) competencies and the NASW Code of Ethics.

Goals & Learning Objectives

Analyze Mentorship Impact (Competency 1, 9): Analyze the impact of formal and informal mentorship on professional identity and academic persistence in emerging practitioners.
Develop Actionable Models (Competency 1, 2): Create evidence-based recommendations for designing developmental, rather than administrative, mentorship models in academic and field settings.
Examine Reciprocal Growth (Competency 1, 8): Discuss the reciprocal benefits of the mentoring relationship for both emerging practitioners (mentees) and experienced practitioners (mentors).

Professional Standard Alignment

Workshop Focus	CSWE Competency Alignment	NASW Code of Ethics Standard
Professional Identity	Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior	Section 1.01: Commitment to Clients & Professional Integrity
Equity & Access	Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice	Section 1.05: Cultural Competence & Social Diversity
Practitioner Mentorship	Competency 1 & 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities	Section 2.05: Consultation & Section 3.02: Education and Training

Top of Page

Facilitator Portal

References

Mentorship as a Catalyst

Exploring Support Systems in Master of Social Work Graduate Training