Foundations in Mentorship: Building Mentoring Skills and Capacity

• Professionals who are mentors in need of effective tools and strategies to ensure success while maintaining balance with their own career advancement 

• Experienced mentors who need new and updated strategies to maintain efficient and effective mentoring in an ever-changing and complex work climate 

• Leaders and administrators who aim to strengthen existing mentoring programs or build new programs for a diverse student body and workforce 

Research shows that professionals who receive mentorship are more likely to succeed. In recent years, there has been significant growth in research on mentoring and mentoring programs. More than ever, students, trainees, staff, and faculty view mentorship as a critical component of career advancement. Many federally funded research training programs now require mentorship and mentor training. 

This asynchronous course approaches mentorship through a multi-level lens, using the social-ecological model as a guiding framework. The course focuses on improving and supporting inclusive mentorship for all mentees, with modules aligned to the topics recommended by federally funded research training programs. 

The course begins by examining the latest science on mentorship and emphasizing individual- and relationship-level skills. Topics include setting clear expectations between mentors and mentees, communication and feedback strategies, and tools such as individual development plans and mentor-mentee agreements. Next, the course addresses common challenges mentors face, including assessing mentees’ scientific knowledge, supporting their professional development as independent researchers, managing time effectively, and coping with burnout and imposter syndrome. The course concludes with a module on peer and group mentoring, frameworks for implementing mentoring programs, and tools for evaluation. Modules culminate in the development of structured personalized mentoring approach. 

This course is designed for faculty mentors and professionals with similar levels of experience who mentor in their organizations. It is especially beneficial for new mentors seeking tools and strategies to foster successful mentoring relationships while balancing their own career advancement. Experienced mentors will also gain updated strategies to maintain effective and efficient mentorship in today’s evolving environment. Additionally, the course is valuable for leaders and administrators looking to strengthen existing mentoring programs or build new ones to support an inclusive community of scholars and mentees. 

Throughout the course, synchronous office hours with the instructor will provide opportunities to discuss mentoring topics in real time. 

• Define mentorship and describe its significance in career advancement and professional success 

• Explain the social-ecological model and its application to mentorship at multiple levels 

• Identify strategies for creating inclusive mentorship practices that support mentees 

• Analyze the roles and responsibilities of mentors and mentees in establishing clear expectations 

• Summarize effective communication and feedback techniques to foster strong mentor-mentee relationships 

• Develop tools such as individual development plans and mentor-mentee agreements to guide mentoring relationships 

• Evaluate mentees’ scientific knowledge and research skills to tailor mentorship support 

• Explain strategies to address common challenges in mentoring, including time management, burnout, and imposter syndrome 

• Identify ways to facilitate mentees’ professional development as independent researchers 

• Compare peer and group mentoring approaches. 

• Describe a framework for implementing mentoring programs, including strategies for evaluation 

• Write a personalized mentoring strategy that reflects individual values and approaches to mentorship