Offered by the Center for Mentoring in collaboration with the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, Foundations of Graduate Mentoring introduces fundamental principles and best practices for graduate faculty/mentors of graduate students, including one-to-one mentoring and in the context of mentoring programs and networks. In addition to identifying the value of graduate mentoring and connecting participants with relevant university recommendations and policies, this session focuses upon student-centered mentoring, including establishing effective communication, aligning expectations, fostering inclusivity, and developing self-reflective mentor practices. We will also discuss effective development and use of graduate mentoring plans and individual development plans (IDPs), increasingly required by federal granting agencies, such as NSF and NIH. Participants must complete an asynchronous online module and reflective paragraph, prior to attending the live remote session on Dec.12.

Format & Requirements

• Pre-work: online module + reflective paragraph
• Live remote (two hours)
• Capstone: One-page mentoring plan

Connection to Mentoring Academy

This course covers the first four competencies of Mentoring Academy: Session One, specifically focusing on graduate mentoring. Completing Foundations of Graduate Mentoring may substitute for Session One in the Mentoring Academy series.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify and describe the value of graduate mentoring.
• Develop student-centered mentoring practices and relationships
• Establish effective communication, shared goals, roles, and expectations between mentors and the mentored.
• Identify characteristics and value of inclusive mentoring and incorporate into practice.
• Use individual development plans as a tool for establishing student goals and progress towards those goals.
• Initiate and sustain self-reflection to improve mentoring practices.
• Identify university mentoring policies, procedures, research and best practices at Pitt and other relevant institutions.