Training Mentors

A Training Mentor is an experienced program evaluator assigned by an ABET member society to a program evaluator candidate to guide that candidate through the training process.

Training Mentor Selection

Training mentors are nominated and approved by member societies each fall. Societies notify mentors of their nomination for training as a training mentor for the upcoming training cycle. Mentors will be contacted by ABET staff with further information once approved.

Minimum Qualifications for Mentor Selection

To ensure that all training mentors are current in their experience with the ABET criteria, policies and procedures, the mentor must:

1. have participated in an accreditation review visit within the two most recent accreditation cycles; AND
2. have received satisfactory evaluation results on recent visits.

Training Mentor Capabilities

Program evaluator candidates will get the most out of their learning experiences when paired with a training mentor who models the program evaluator competencies and represents the organization well. Training mentors should possess the following knowledge, skills and capabilities:

• Able to model Program Evaluator Competencies (technically current, effective communicator, interpersonally skilled, team oriented, professional, organized).
• Able to apply experience as a program evaluator to answer questions for candidates before, during and immediately after training.
• Be current in and able to apply knowledge of outcomes based accreditation as well as accreditation processes, procedures, and requirements.
• Demonstrates a flexible style which facilitates different learning styles as well as backgrounds and experiences (i.e. industry versus academia).
• Able to bring experiences as team chair or program evaluator to help the candidate learn how to make appropriate judgments which represent ABET and member societies well.
• Able to build trust and mutual respect in order to provide supportive relationship with program evaluator candidates.
• Able to help program evaluator candidates understand roles and responsibilities of team members, team chair and the importance of being a team player.
• Represents ABET and member societies well.
• Shows professional respect for team chairs, member society liaisons, volunteers and ABET staff.
• Upholds ABET Code of Conduct at all times.

ABET Training Mentor Responsibilities

The training mentor plays a very important role in the learning cycle of the program evaluator candidate. The training mentor is an advisor and resource to the program evaluator candidate before, during and immediately after program evaluator training.

The training mentor responsibilities begin once the program evaluator candidate has been selected and notified of the requirements for training. The following are the detailed responsibilities.

Online Training (Pre-work)

With regard to the required online training, training mentors must:

• make contact with the program evaluator candidate in a timely manner after assignment.
• be available to answer any questions regarding the online training (pre-work for the Simulated Visit Training)
• be familiar with the pre-work content and requirements
• make contact with program evaluator candidate if pre-work deliverables have not been received three weeks prior to the Simulated Visit Training.
• discuss the program evaluator candidate’s preparation for training and readiness for a visit with their member society liaison.

Simulated Visit Training

After the program evaluator candidate attends the Simulated Visit Training, the training mentor will debrief and reinforce key learning from the training.

Training Mentor Training

Webinars for both new and returning mentors will be held each year.

• All training mentors must participate in the appropriate webinar. The webinars describe the training process, the roles and responsibilities of the training mentor, and answers questions the training mentors have regarding the training process and their role.