Peer mentoring for undergraduates in a research-focused diversity initiative.

Thomas E Keller,Caitlyn Beals,Kay Logan,Jennifer Lindwall

doi:10.18060/21542

Abstract

To provide multi-dimensional support for undergraduates from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds who aspire to careers in research, the BUILD EXITO project, part of a major NIH-funded diversity initiative, matches each scholar with three mentors: peer mentor (advanced student), career mentor (faculty adviser), and research mentor (research project supervisor). After describing the aims of the diversity initiative, the institutional context of the BUILD EXITO project, and the training program model, this article devotes special attention to the rationale for and implementation of the peer mentoring component within the context of the multi-faceted mentoring model.

Highlights

Building University Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) is an NIH-sponsored initiative to promote innovative approaches to research training for undergraduates from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences
The BUILD initiative focuses on primarily undergraduate institutions that fit a specific eligibility profile
Several priorities were established for the selection of EXITO peer mentors, including a preference for backgrounds and experiences aligning with program goals as well as personal qualities generally associated with successful mentoring (Terrion & Leonard, 2007)

Summary

Introduction

Building University Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) is an NIH-sponsored initiative to promote innovative approaches to research training for undergraduates from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. The BUILD initiative addresses this challenge by supporting student trainees and developing faculty capacity and institutional infrastructure to “transform the culture and efficacy of biomedical research training and mentoring” (Enhancing the diversity of the NIH-funded workforce, 2016).

Results

Conclusion