Interdisciplinary Technical Assistance Center on Autism and Developmental Disabilities

Purpose:

Our project intended to increase diversity among PacWest LEND trainees and faculty from diverse racial and ethnic groups by leveraging a train-the-trainer model to increase mentorship capacity of racially and ethnically diverse faculty who then supported the leadership and success of racially and ethnically diverse trainees.

Objectives Accomplished:

• Ensured that LEND trainees and faculty represent racially and ethnically diverse populations.
• Ensured that LEND faculty have the knowledge and skills to provide effective mentorship for racially and ethnically diverse LEND trainees
• Increased the ability of racially and ethnically diverse LEND trainees to assume leadership roles

Results
The PacWest Faculty who participated in the project reported the following key concepts as a result of the FAST project:

• The definition and practice of mentorship was expanded through this experience.
• Minority trainees need guidance in navigating the organizational, structural, procedural, and political aspects of working in higher education.
• Minority trainees can succeed with guidance and organizational supports, even when the have limited English proficiency.
• Faculty experienced similar situations and identified common issues within their work environment. They discussed diverse related topics such as biases, discrimination, and lack of empathy and developed strategies collaboratively.
• The LEND faculty voiced a commitment to address increasing diversity in their programs and increasing cultural competency knowledge and skills.

For a detailed write up of the project and outcomes see this article from the October 2018 issue of AUCD 360: "Maximizing Leadership Potential in Racial and Ethnic Minority LEND Trainees"