About Empowered Mentorship Pathways
Portland State University's College of Education is committed to being a model college for the education of racially and linguistically diverse minoritized teachers, counselors, and administrators. As a reflection of our commitment to diversifying Oregon's workforce in schools and education service centers and in conjunction with the requirements of ORS 342.437, the College of Education has developed Empowered Mentorship Pathways.
Empowered Mentorship Pathways is funded by the 2024-2026 Educator Equity Grant from the State of Oregon. Through this grant, the College of Education is intentionally adding mentoring across our programs to increase the sense of belonging and promote the success of teachers, administrators, and school counseling candidates who are committed to creating racially and linguistically diverse school systems. Mentoring will focus on supporting teacher, administrator, and school counseling candidates in their experiential learning placements including practicum, internship, and/or student teaching. Year one of the pilot program ran from February 2025-June 2025, supporting over 20 College of Education students and mentors. The College of Education trained and provided an honorarium to mentors who met with COE students monthly. In year two of the pilot program, we will follow the same structure. This year the pilot will run from January 2026-June 2026.