GGSM Best Mentoring Practices

In the 2022-23 academic year, the ad-hoc Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Subcommittee of the Graduate Council engaged in discussions with Graduate Group of Science and Mathematics (GGSM) students and faculty on graduate mentorship. The following best practices stem from these collaborative efforts.

Student Best Practices  Conflict Resolution

Faculty should:

  • Appreciate that all mentoring relationships will be unique and individualized. Our overall approach should be to remain helpful and supportive, while providing opportunities for individual growth and an environment where students can challenge themselves.  
  • Maintain open lines of communication and provide guidance to regularly discuss research progress, but also the development of writing skills, networking strategies, career goals and personal well-being in recognition of the value of engaging students in conversation outside their research project.
  • Work to provide an educational experience that is consistent with the College’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Work as a department to establish a genuine sense of community between students and faculty;
    • Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) specific – play an active role in advising and supporting students (i.e., at least one individual meeting with each student per semester).
    • Research mentor specific – meet at least twice monthly with your graduate students to discuss the progress of their research.
    • These are offered as guidelines and are an effort to foster a supportive mentoring environment, but unique student-mentor relationships or student status in the program may result in minor modifications.
    • Both the DGS and the research mentor should be resources for student questions about their graduate program policies and requirements.
    • Recommendations for the DGS and the research mentor:
      • Both should be sensitive to power dynamics.
      • Both are encouraged to listen carefully to student concerns and choices
      • Both are encouraged to advocate for the student
      • The DGS should be available to facilitate student’s relationships with multiple mentors, if applicable.

 

Students should:

  • Appreciate that all mentoring relationships will be unique and individualized.
  • Participate in communication with mentors and actively engage in conversations about research progress, development of writing skills, networking, career goals, and issues important to their personal development.
  • Work with faculty to create a strong educational environment with meaningful activities and opportunities for all within the department.
  • DGS specific – Meet with DGS once per semester to check-in. Unique student-mentor relationships or student status in the program may result in minor modifications.

 

Conflict Resolution Process

  • Should conflicts arise between graduate students and their faculty research mentor, students should first consult the DGS or, if the DGS is the student’s research mentor, then the department chair. In either event, the DGS or the department chair should mediate a conversation between the graduate student and the faculty member with the goal of achieving a resolution that is satisfactory to both parties.