A-45 Closing the Gap in the Neuropsychology Pipeline Via Mentorship Focusing on African American Students

Abstract Objective A core mission of the Society for Black Neuropsychology (SBN) is to increase representation neuropsychologists, students, and scholars from diverse backgrounds. As such, SBN developed a 12-month mentoring program trainees at all levels. The Mentorship Program includes four components: where mentees are paired with mentor based on interest needs; professional development webinars; application materials resources; virtual social hours. Methods First, call mentors was distributed via SBN’s related listservs media. Second, pairings were mentee training level, clinical/research interest, needs (e.g., applying doctoral programs, cultural competency, securing funding), additional preferences matched same racial/ethnic background, sex/gender, geographical location). Surveys will be 6-months upon completion mentorship evaluate pairings, webinars, overall impact program. Results total 60 backgrounds different levels enrolled. Thirty-five underrepresented minority (URM) their level training, needs. cohort comprised undergraduate/post-baccalaureate (30%), masters (5%), students (60%), post-doctoral fellows (5%). approximately 77% female identified as an URM in academia (URM: 85.7% Black, 14.3% Latinx). Conclusion programs represent vital but often overlooked component trainee success. sponsored by organizations such can help number neuropsychology provide needed navigate barriers encounter academia.