Faculty Award for Graduate Student Mentoring
Award Description
There is broad consensus that mentoring is key to graduate student success. The Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring recognizes faculty adept within the broad spectrum of activities that makes up graduate mentoring. Exemplary graduate mentoring supports the advancement of students as scholars, teachers, and professionals, and requires significant time and skill.
The following list (based on a model from the Duke University Graduate School) describes aspects of mentoring frequently associated with exemplary graduate mentors.
Mentors who support the advancement of students as Scholars:- Provide intellectual guidance and ensure rigor within research projects;
- Ensure students gain deep understanding of the field of study, including research methods and (inter)disciplinary trends;
- Provide appropriate guidelines and expectations, and assist students in developing skills to pursue/achieve research goals within appropriate timetables;
- Evaluate student progress and coach academic performance in a timely and constructive fashion.
- Encourage students to develop a broad range of teaching, communication, and professional skills;
- Provide opportunities for skills development related to lecturing, classroom communication, grading/assessment, and course development.
- Serve as informed advisors regarding career development and the job market;
- Offer guidance and encouragement regarding participation in scholarly activities, including conference presentations, publications, professional networking, and grant writing;
- Model impartial, fair, professional dealings with students and colleagues, and foster an ethos of collegiality and professionalism.
This award, which carries $2,000, is made possible through the generosity of the A&S Graduate Studies Advisory Board. The Graduate Student Association was instrumental in initiating this award.
