Equity in Business: Igniting Mentorship, Service and Career Readiness in the Classroom

MHR 4610S is a highly interactive class built on three core pillars that help students succeed:

1:1 direct mentorships with industry professionals.
Building career-readiness skills.
Service opportunities in and outside of the class.

The goal of this course is to have students experience each of these components in applicable ways to influence successful behaviors post-CPP. Through this 15-week course, students hear from guest speakers currently in leadership roles, are assigned business/corporate mentors, many of which are alumni, and have experiences connecting to our classroom and local community in activities with our community partners Calibrate and Inland Valley Hope Partners.

From the Students:

MHR 4610S is all about taking students to the next level by connecting them with mentors who are currently working in the business field. It's like having a personal guide who can share their expertise, insights, and real-world experiences. This mentorship pillar of the class helps students gain practical knowledge, develop important skills, and build valuable connections in the industry. It's a fantastic opportunity for students to learn from professionals and prepare themselves for successful careers in the business world.

Any donation to this class will go directly to building stronger connections with industry professionals and with the local community in need. Building these connections allow students to actively participate in the real-world, where we are going to work and live. Our time with non-profit organizations, such as Inland Valley Hope Partners allow us to help at risk families with homelessness and food security. Our time during our Connections Circles, helps us practice self-awareness, active listening, and many skills necessary to be successful in a more diverse, equitable and inclusive world. This class does not only take place in the classroom at Cal Poly Pomona, but it also takes place in the real world, giving back to the community we live in.”

From the Mentors

This program serves such a critical need for students to solidify their professional skills. This program provided students the opportunity to interact with industry professionals in real-world relationships such as mentorship and we are guest speakers in the classroom. I enjoyed the program and would have actually liked more time with my students.

I absolutely loved being a mentor in the class for multiple semesters! I stay in touch with all of my mentees and have introduced them to each other. It's a joy to be a part of this class!

Future Research

Faculty members, Dr. Sharonda Bishop and Dr. Cheryl Wyrick presented excerpts of this class in the Innovative Education track at the Western Decision Sciences Institute Conference in April 2022. Dr. Bishop will continue her research stream on mentorship and early career professionals, using feedback from mentors and past and present students from the class.