Work In Progress - The Process of Developing a Multilayered Mentor Model at our Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute.

We recently developed a multilayered mentor model for our popular Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute at Villanova University. Our multilayered mentor model layers the experience, social capital and empathy associated with peer mentoring together with the transfer of knowledge, skills, and ability associated with traditional mentors. Peer mentors, selected from recent graduates of our Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute, were paired with successful entrepreneurs to guide student venture teams. The multilayered mentor model, developed to reflect current best mentor practices, included mentor matching, goal setting, coaching and guidance. Our exit survey informed us that the multilayered mentor structure led to an enhanced and empowered learning environment for student venture teams. Additionally, peer mentors indicated strong enthusiasm for the personal relationship with the senior mentor and an increased desire for engagement in entrepreneurship. In this paper we discuss formation of the multilayered mentor model, outcomes from implementation of the model within our Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute and discuss plans for future development. An overview of pilot model activity, including mentoring structure and topics are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]