Peer Mentoring CS 295 Section 004 

Basic Course Information 

Course Name:  Peer Mentoring | Semester: Fall 2026 | Credits: 1 

Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Department Approval Required 

Couse Format: In-Person 

  • Meeting Times: Every other Friday starting the second week of school at 10 AM 
  • Class Meeting Dates:  Sep 4, Sep 18, Oct 2, Oct 16, Oct 30, Nov 13, Dec 11  
  • Location: CSB 130 
  • Course Work Week: 
  • Assignments for each module are generally due 1 week after the Friday on which the class meets.  A three-day universal accommodation window has been added for all assignments. 

Instructor Information 

Instructor Name: Laura Daniels 

Email: laura.daniels@colostate.edu 

Office Location: CSB 254 

Office Hours/Student Hours: Fridays from 11 AM – 12 PM 

Communication Policy: 

  • Please communicate through email and include course number in the subject line. This helps me keep track of your emails and better support you.  
  • I will do my best to respond to your emails within 24 hours during the work week. 
  • I encourage you to join me during Student Hours to discuss mentoring challenges or other questions and concerns. 

My Teaching Philosophy: 

Expand on any of the statements below to make this your own:  

  • I believe that each and every student who enrolls in this course belongs here. 
  • We recognize and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that each student brings to the classroom.  
  • Learning is a collective effort, and we encourage active participation from all students. Through student-student interactions and meaningful dialogue with instructors, we aim to create a dynamic and engaging academic atmosphere. 
  • I am committed to supporting your success and well-being. 

Course Description & Objectives 

This course is designed to provide structure, support, and ongoing training for peer mentors.  During class, mentors and mentees will have structured discussions.  Out of class, mentors will complete training, reflections, and career development activities.  

Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  • Understand foundational mentoring principles by explaining the core responsibilities and communication strategies that support effective peer mentoring relationships. 
  • Apply active listening and questioning techniques during mentoring discussions with mentees. 
  • Analyze mentee goals, challenges, and learning styles to identify appropriate resources and tailor mentoring approaches that meet individual developmental needs. 
  • Evaluate personal mentoring effectiveness through reflection on completed training assignments and professional development tasks. 

How this course fits into your computer science experience 

  • Mentoring supports the development of career skills including networking, communication, teamwork, and personal reflection. 

Course Materials 

Textbook / Course Readings 

  • Course materials can be found on Canvas and through LinkedIn Learning.  If you have trouble accessing either, please connect with the CSU IT Help Desk. 

Course Policies  

  • Attendance and in-class participation are extremely important because our in-class discussions are the primary connecting point for mentors and mentees.  Because life sometimes throws us unexpected challenges, you will be allowed to drop one in-class discussion grade.  Missing any other additional class sessions will negatively impact your grade.  If you have dire circumstances outside of your control, please contact me to discuss. 
  • All out-of-class assignments have a universal accommodation window of three days.  If you want to turn in an assignment after that, you may reach out to me to request an extension.  A 20% late deduction may be added to late work. 

 

CLASSROOM NORMS  

  • We will listen to each other with the intent to understand different perspectives 
  • We will ask questions when we have them 
  • We will make sure everyone’s voice is heard 

Grading Policy 

Grade Range 
A 90-100% 
B 80-89% 
C 70-79% 
D 60-69% 
F 0-59% 

As a student enrolled in this course, one of your responsibilities is to submit course work by the due dates listed in Canvas. With that said, as your instructor, one of my responsibilities is to respond individually to the work you submit in this class and to return your work in a timely manner. Smaller, weekly assignments and quizzes will be returned within 5 days.  (If, however, due to unforeseeable circumstances, the grading of your work takes longer than the times I have listed here, I will keep you informed of my progress and make every effort to return your work with feedback as soon as I can.) 

All Mentor Assignments (25%) – These assignments encourage mentor/mentee connections, reflection on mentorship practices, and professional development.  The lowest score will be dropped. 

New/Returning Mentor Assignments (25%) – These assignments focus on mentor training, learning about CSU resources, and additional professional development.  The lowest score will be dropped. 

In Class Discussions / Participation (50%) – These assignments support mentors and mentees in getting to know one another and discussing topics related to computer science, professional development, CSU resources, and personal growth.  The lowest score will be dropped. 

Out-of-class Assignment Schedule 

Week   All Mentor Assignments New Mentor Requirements  Returning Mentor Requirements  
2  Invite mentees to a study session  University Resources  Career Center Drop-in LinkedIn   
4  Resume including LinkedIn Profile  LinkedIn Learning Part 1 – Starting Your Mentoring Relationship  Exploring Career Connection Using LinkedIn  
6  Starting Mentoring Reflection  LinkedIn Learning Part 2 – Troubleshooting Mentee Relationships  Invitations For Informational Interviewing  
8  University Activity With Mentee  AI at the University   Conduct Informational Interviews  
10  Growth Mindset  Undergraduate Research, Fellowships, and Career Development   Career Competencies  
12  Invite Mentees To Pre-Finals Study Session  Professional Communication  Informational Interviews Reflection and Follow-up  
14  Fall Break 
16  Closing Communication With Mentees and Class Feedback  Mentorship Reflection    

AI Policy 

Student Resources 

Students, please review the following resources from CSU. 

AI Policy for Course Work in This Class  

  • AI tools may be used only in limited, transparent ways that support your learning and reflection rather than replace it. You may use AI to brainstorm ideas, generate questions, and plan outlines. AI may also help you understand difficult concepts through research, but you are not permitted to use AI to answer assignment questions or generate reflections for you.  

Statement about Instructor’s Use of AI in the course 

  • How was AI used in the design of the course?  
  • AI was used during course design by improving the layout and refining the wording of some assignments. 

Additional Syllabus Information and Policies 

The QR code links to course and CSU-relevant policies and resources to help with various challenges you may encounter as a student. 

QR Link to Additional Syllabus Information 

CSU Standard Policies 

All standard policies for CSU Online courses are available in the Passport to Canvas course. You can view these policies, which will be updated in real time if university policy changes, by logging into at the Passport to Canvas course with your NetID.