Conference

Exploring Diverse Aspects of Mentorship at Iowa State University

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Abstract

Mentorship in higher education has been widely studied; findings point to the value of mentors for all students, especially for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. This presentation will explore various aspects of mentorship, including the experiences of graduate students involved in multiple mentorships, faculty experiences with mentorship, the impact of mentoring on faculty, and the role of discipline in the mentorship relationship.

This session will feature four Scholar research teams from the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. As part of their first-year research methods coursework, the Scholars collected data via interviews from faculty and graduate students across disciplines at Iowa State University. Using an inductive analysis, each research team analyzed the interviews to understand broader themes related to mentoring. Scholars' culturally centered research methods provide a science with practice experience as they learn about the scientific research process, while imparting their own identities and backgrounds, to the topical area.

The McNair Program prepares qualified undergraduates for graduate school entry, with the primary goal of increasing the attainment of a PhD. McNair supports graduate school-bound Scholars by focusing on three areas: academic research, graduate school preparation, and personal and professional development.