Mentoring
Students and Postdoctoral Scholars: Mentor Up!
“Mentor Up” is similar to “Managing Up” from the business world. It refers to the proactive approach where mentees take an active role in guiding and enhancing the mentoring relationship with their mentors. The curriculum is adapted from the University of Wisconsin’s Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER). Offered through six workshops, the curriculum is designed to address some of the challenges and concerns that mentees might encounter throughout their career. In this mentor up series, mentees will develop the knowledge and skills to proactively and effectively address these challenges and navigate their mentoring relationships and career progression.
Faculty and Students: Shared Expectations
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The relationship between a faculty mentor and graduate student is critical to the success of both individuals. A recent study published in Nature Biotechnology investigated the influence of that relationship on the wellbeing of graduate students. “These data indicate that strong, supportive and positive mentoring relationships between graduate students and their PI/advisers correlate significantly with less anxiety and depression,” the authors say. A key element to developing a positive and supportive relationship between advisers and students, as well as across research groups, is the establishment of shared expectations.
All faculty advisers and graduate students are encouraged to hold conversations, one-on-one, as labs/research groups, and as a department, to establish shared expectations for the students, the mentors, and the departments. These conversations should be ongoing, as needs and expectations may change over the course of a student’s degree program.
Typical check-in milestones may include:
- At the start of the program
- As an adviser is being identified
- As exams approach
- At the time of the thesis/dissertation topic is proposed
- 6 months after the topic is approved
- As the final submission and defense draws near
Download the conversation guide (DOCX) for personal use.
Faculty Mentorship Training and Resources
Effective mentoring plays a crucial role in developing talent, supporting professional growth, and promoting the well-being of emerging scholars. These relationships benefit not only the mentees but also enhance the mentors' experiences, fostering a dynamic and supportive environment that encourages collective achievement and innovation. Additionally, mentoring helps mentors stay informed about new perspectives and trends, which sharpens their leadership and communication skills.
Moreover, comprehensive mentorship strategies are increasingly mandated by federal funding agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), which require clear mentorship plans in grant proposals and encourage institutions to provide mentor training.
Establishing strong mentoring relationships demands effort, as mentors must offer constructive feedback while remaining supportive and encouraging. Balancing this responsibility with their own professional duties can be challenging. Additionally, tailoring guidance to meet each mentee's unique needs requires flexibility, adaptability, and access to resources and evidence-based practices. To support faculty in enhancing their mentoring practices and preparing grant proposals, the Graduate School has curated a selection of valuable mentoring resources.