Research Mentoring Program

    Research Mentoring Program and Mentoring Academy

    About the Research Mentoring Program

    The Research Mentoring Program is a collaboration led by Drs. Linda Fuselier and Michelle Rodems, initially proposed and selected as the winner for the Design Think Shark Tank at the University of Louisville from 2020-2021 as part of institutional strategic planning efforts. The awarded grant provides initial funding for a three-part program:

    Part I: Developing Skills & Building Confidence Graduate students are invited to participate in the Mentoring Academy Participation in the academy does not guarantee a funded position, but any graduate students who complete the academy and submit a proposal are eligible for funding. 
    Part II: Practicing & Reflecting Graduate students mentor undergraduate students through proposed research experience. Graduate students meet regularly to reflect, debrief, and continue building skills. Selected pairs of graduate and undergraduate students will be awarded $1500 in total.  Undergraduate students will present their research results at an institutional showcase. Graduate students share their experience through a panel discussion at the Graduate Student Research Conference.
    Part III: Planning & Achieving Graduate students and undergraduate students conduct self-assessment to determine areas of strength and continued growth. Undergraduate students may continue to be mentored by graduate student. Graduate students may be paired with alumni mentors for continued learning and practice.  All students will be supported in identifying skills for selected career paths and practicing communicating skills for the job market. 

     ***Graduate students who complete the academy will be eligible for Parts II and III of the Research Mentoring Program. Those students will be informed of next steps after the academy has been completed.*** 

     

    Part I: The Mentoring Academy

    ABOUT THE MENTORING ACADEMY

    The Mentoring Academy, initially established at UofL during the summer of 2019, has been revised to reflect feedback from graduate students, as well as to include materials from the National Institute of Health Resilient Scientist series. The Mentoring Academy is a series of six sessions, designed to provide a foundation of best practice guidelines for mentoring, an opportunity to learn from faculty mentors and peers, and an environment to solve challenges with mentees. Graduate students will be empowered with the confidence and tools to become effective mentors for students of all levels, preparing them to mentor others in the now and in the future. Each cohort of students participates in interactive workshops along with faculty mentors selected for their experience in mentoring.

    The Academy is designed for graduate students to gain skills in: (1) maintaining effective communication; (2) aligning expectations and addressing equity and inclusion; (3) conflict resolution; (4) assessing understanding; (5) fostering independence; (6) promoting professional development, research and mentoring ethics; and (7) developing a mentoring philosophy.  The format for each session is small group discussion lead by faculty and faculty-student team facilitators.

    Graduate students who are in good standing at the University of Louisville are eligible for the program. 

     APPLICATION AVAILABLE BELOW. 

    THE 2024 MENTORING ACADEMY SCHEDULE

    Below is the schedule for the Summer 2024 Mentoring Academy. 

    Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-4:30pm on the dates below, sessions will be in person on the Belknap Campus


    THE MENTORING ACADEMY APPLICATION PROCESS


    APPLYING FOR THE 2024 MENTORING ACADEMY

    All graduate students are encouraged to apply, though graduate students who will graduate soonest may receive priority. In addition to completing the application form, students are required to have their graduate program director, faculty mentor or chair send an e-mail to the  Dean of the Graduate School, , and Director, Dr. Michelle Rodems indicating approval of the student’s participation in the academy.

    Participation in the Mentoring Academy will be limited and competitive, with priority given to a disciplinary diversity of participants. Graduate students who are accepted into the academy and attend at least 5 of 6 sessions will receive a certificate of completion. Graduate students who complete the academy are eligible to submit a proposal for The Research Mentoring Program (details below). 

    If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Dr. Michelle Rodems.

     


    Part II: Graduate School Research and Mentoring Grant

    In the early summer months, graduate students who have completed the Mentoring Academy will be encouraged to submit a funded research proposal to the selection team. Selected graduate students will then choose an undergraduate student to mentor through their research (further details about this process are forthcoming) in September. The research will be conducted through the fall and spring semesters, during which the graduate student mentors will practice what they have learned about mentoring. Additionally, graduate students will be required to participate in monthly continuing learning meetings. By the end of the spring semester, undergraduate students will be expected to have presented at an institutional conference, and graduate students will be expected to have participated in a panel discussion at the Graduate Student Research Conference. Graduate student-undergraduate student pairs will receive a grant award. About 5-10 pairs will be selected per year. 

     Undergraduate Students - Applications will be available in Fall 2024

    Part III: Continuing and Communicating Mentoring

    Graduate students and undergraduate students will conduct self-assessment throughout the program to determine areas of strength and continued growth. Upon conclusion of the mentored year of research, undergraduate students may continue to be mentored by a graduate student. Graduate students may be paired with an alumni mentor for continued learning and practice. Additionally, all students will be supported in identifying skills for selected career paths and practicing communicating those skills for the job market. 


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