Diversity Support

The Graduate College supports departments and programs in their efforts to recruit and support members of groups underrepresented in American higher education. Support for students, resources for graduate recruitment, and retention initiatives are all available to assist with diversity efforts.

Communication and Mentoring

Academic institutions across the globe consider mentoring as a tool for faculty development. Faculty mentoring in education can help personal and professional development of faculty in teaching, research and career planning. Faculty mentors are considered to have multiple roles including being a supervisor, teacher, or a coach.

Mentoring requires building a mentor-mentee relationship to support and guide the mentee to achieve wide array of objectives including emotional support, personal and professional development. Faculty mentoring needs & relationships change over time (evolving interests, needs, time commitments etc).This is unlike teaching which focuses on attainment of specific outcomes.

Professional Standards and Mutual Respect – Consider using the AAMC compact. It serves both as a pledge and a reminder to mentors and their scholars that their conduct in fulfilling commitments to one another should reflect the highest professional standards and mutual respect.

Some tips: Maintain open communication with scholars and include a periodic review of mutual expectations. Discuss meeting set-ups: (group, sub-group, one-on-one) that are held to discuss research progress. Comment on: format, frequency and duration. Encourage scholars to seek additional mentors.

Promote inclusiveness

Cultural/Global Differences - If you are not familiar with a particular culture, it is of great importance to demonstrate willingness to communicate with and to understand each postdoctoral scholar as a unique individual.

Family Responsibilities - Both women and men may face challenging family issues. The PI should be alert to postdocs who need extra support when having a child, raising a child alone, returning to school after child-rearing, caring for an elderly parent, etc. Bridge Funding – Arrival of New Child, Employee Assistance

Program

Identify strengths, weaknesses, and biases

We experience life through our perspective of identity, race, gender, class, disability, and sexual orientation. When engaging with those around us, identify strengths, weaknesses, and biases related to marginalization and privilege within a broader society. Being sensitive to other's perspectives while being clear about the needs and goals of those around us promotes others to be active participants. Consider your assumptions about life, how it should work, and whether these assumptions best serve your and others' needs.

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