Give students of color a supportive mentorship experience

Building Community for Underrepresented Students and Professionals (BCUSP) connects University of Oregon Communication Disorders and Sciences graduate BIPOC students with BIPOC professionals in speech-language pathology and other associated fields to mentor, empower, and build stronger networks.

Because practitioners in these fields are primarily white-identifying, we believe a more diverse industry is needed. CDS is dedicated to training diverse cohorts of future Speech-Language Practitioners. Given the invisible labor of mentorship and the systemic issue of BIPOCs being asked to do this work without being properly compensated, mentors must be compensated for their labor. We want to ensure that mentors are recognized for their time and efforts. 

Creating a mentorship program for our CDS students of color will increase retention and satisfaction for students within the program. Students will have a greater sense of belonging and community during their time at UO. It is our hope that students will feel empowered by the connections they build in their community and that these connections will continue throughout their careers. Additionally, mentors also benefit from community building with other professionals of color because they can feel empowerment and satisfaction in mentoring budding CDS specialists. 

To fund BCUSP for the next three years, we are raising $3,750, which will support five mentors each year. Additional funds raised would be used to extend the program another two years, increase the number of community mentors, and support students of color in unexpected program-related expenses such as trainings and costs associated with clinical placements.

Thank you for your support!