The Voices of Senior Scholars on Mentoring Graduate Students and Junior Scholars

Abstract

Our objective is to document recommendations from senior scholars on effective strategies to mentor graduate students and junior faculty. Mentors' recommendations stated at a national symposium and follow-up interviews are discussed in relation to literature. General themes derived from mentors' recommendations indicate that characteristics of good mentors include (a) acting as role models for learning how to use coping strategies and to develop resiliency to overcome challenges, (b) facilitating opportunities for scholarly productivity and academic success, (c) networking with colleagues to form a collective power, and (d) establishing an empathic connection between the mentor's multicultural experiences and the protégé's diverse background. Conclusions refer to the need to continue advancing diversity issues and mentoring programs for junior scholars in American universities.