Impact of Mentoring Relationships on Student Identity: Using a Developmental Framework as a Guide to Effective Mentoring Practices
- Lynn Lundy Evans (Iowa State University)
- Ashley Garrin (Iowa State University)
- Thelma Harding (Iowa State University)
Abstract
Mentoring relationships are integral to the success of aspiring research scholars and often shape their career choices and professional presence. A mentor’s unfamiliarity, misunderstanding of the social aspect of mentoring, or blindness to racial, cross-cultural, and diversity challenges that affect under-served populations can be detrimental to a student scholar’s self-efficacy, identity, and ultimately academic and career advancement. This workshop, facilitated by the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program staff, will share how an instructional nature of mentoring can negatively impact identity development and self-confidence. We will discuss the benefits of moving toward a more situated developmental framework in mentoring, one that promotes high-trust and opportunities for increased exposure to challenging work. A set of best practices will be generated to help both mentor and apprentice aspire to reach higher levels of confidence, competence, and credibility.