Resources for Mentors

Mentor Resources

Faculty mentors guide graduate students on their academic and professional growth and support them in finding resources to meet their personal needs and goals. An investment in mentoring enhances graduate student retention and well-being, allowing graduate students to successfully navigate and thrive in graduate programs.  Below are tools and resources to assist faculty in their own development as mentors. Faculty may also register for additional mentor information by subscribing to the graduate mentoring email list.

• Workshops & Programs

• Mentor Workshops and Seminars

  Several UC Davis departments provide workshops designed to enhance the preparedness of UC Davis faculty in areas affecting the mentoring, academic socialization, and overall success of our diverse graduate student population. Faculty may register for additional event notifications by subscribing to the graduate mentoring email list.

  Graduate Students of Color Mentoring Program

  Organized by the Cross Cultural Center, this 2-quarter long program pairs a faculty mentor with a graduate student.  Through faculty mentorship and other programming, the GSoC Mentoring Program holistically supports its graduate student participants as they navigate the rigors of graduate school. Contact the Cross Cultural Center for more information.

• Setting Expectations

• Student Progress Assessment 
  The Student Progress Assessment (SPA) allows major professors and/or graduate advisors to evaluate a graduate student's progress and provide future goals and expectations.  
  
  Questionnaire for Aligning Expectations in Research Mentoring Relationships
  Managing expectations between mentors and mentees can be challenging and is a common source of conflict in mentoring relationships.  This tool has been designed as a discussion starter for use by research mentors and student mentees. The goal of using this questionnaire is to provide a framework for a fruitful discussion about each person’s expectations, and how to decide on appropriate ongoing actions as the relationship develops.
  
  Mentoring Compacts
  Faculty mentors may want to consider developing a mentoring compact, which is similar to a syllabus that lays out the expectations and goals for both the mentor and mentee.
  
  Developing Shared Expectations
  A tool from Rackham Graduate School, University of Michigan that provides suggested topics to discuss with mentees.
  
  Sample Mentoring Agreement
  A sample agreement for mentors and mentees that establishes basic expectations.

• Graduate Student Writing 

•  Working with Graduate Student Writers Faculty Guide
  Created by Purdue University, this resource guides faculty on how to better support graduate students with their writing.
  
  Preventing Plagiarism 
  Strategies for preventing and detecting plagiarism in student work.

• Mental Health and Wellness

• Gatekeeping Training Study
  Two separate mental health trainings are being offered on campus as part of a study sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs. These trainings are designed to help equip TAs, staff, and faculty with skills and the knowledge they need to comfortably and confidently speak to students about mental health concerns and then refer them to appropriate mental health resources.  Visit our workshops page to see the current quarter's offerings.
  
  Case Management (Student Support)
  UC Davis non-clinical Case Managers, based in the Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (OSSJA), are here to provide support and assistance to students in need. Anyone can contact a case manager when they are concerned about a student. The student may be in distress due to emotional issues, health, family or personal relationships, grades, academic standing, or other problems.

• Historically Underrepresented Students and Scholars

• Graduate Student Data and Literature
  Review program-specific demographic, admissions, enrollment, and graduation data, as well as review a wealth of scholarship exists on mentoring and diversity in higher education.

  Graduate Students of Color Mentoring Program

  Organized by the Cross Cultural Center, this 2-quarter long program pairs a faculty mentor with a graduate student.  Through faculty mentorship and other programming, the GSoC Mentoring Program holistically supports its graduate student participants as they navigate the rigors of graduate school. Contact the Cross Cultural Center for more information.
  
  Moving It Forward: The Power of Mentoring, and How Universities Can Confront Institutional Barriers Facing Junior Researchers of Color
  From the William T. Grant's mentoring program, comes this guide on the power of effective mentoring in supporting junior researchers of color. 

• Teaching

• Center for Educational Effectiveness
  The CEE offers faculty workshops on promoting and supporting effective learning for all students.  The CEE offers TA training and resources for graduate student teaching.

• Further Reading

• UC Davis Graduate Council Mentoring Guidelines
  Graduate Council recognizes that the mentoring of graduate students by faculty is an integral part of the graduate experience for both. The responsibilities of the faculty mentor are broad and diverse. They include, but are not limited to serving as a role model, advising a student as to course work requirements, and providing formal instruction in a given discipline as well as helping students identify and achieve their individual short and long-term educational goals.

  Entering Mentoring
  This material from the U of WI provides a valuable framework for mentoring relationships, and has many useful exercises. Their 1^st edition is available as a free pdf.

  Nature's Guide for Mentors
  This article outlines qualities of good mentors and tips for creating a successful relationship with your mentee. 

• Additional Tools

• Mentoring Competency Assessment (MCA)
  The MCA is a validated instrument for mentors to assess their own mentoring.  This can help mentors to identify their strengths and weaknesses.  

  Center for Improvement of Mentored Experience in Research
  CIMER offers mentor and mentee training and resources for all career stages of post-secondary researchers.