Mentoring Tips

Mentoring serves a crucial role in our summer research programs and is vitally important to the success of each student.  Envisioning a larger picture of mentoring that includes families, communities and society, the Office of Graduate Ethnic Inclusion emphasizes shared learning beyond textbook definitions.  Positive mentoring can be found in unexpected places, and at many different levels.  As a mentor in our summer research program, we would like to provide some mentoring tips to consider.

• Accessibility is key.  Being accessible to your student and attentive to individual needs are top qualities in an effective mentor.  Time is a crucial element in successful mentoring.  The priority that you give to your student is very important.
• Communicating and sharing expertise and knowledge is vital to introducing prospective scholars to your field of research.  Share your reservoir of knowledge, professional contacts and personal career experiences freely. 
• Establish mutual respect and trust, allowing students to ask any question and to share differing opinions. 
• Foster an environment where your student can gain necessary skills, learn to think critically, and "learn how to learn." 
• Tailor your mentoring to the students' individual needs. 
• Include students in social activities and encourage peer contact for other levels of mentoring. 
• Establish consistency in contact with your student, discussing progress, and how the student is feeling about his or her experience.