Graduate Faculty Mentor Training

The School of Graduate Studies provides mentor training for new and existing graduate faculty who serve as mentors for graduate students.

New graduate faculty are required to attend the first session and five of the eight monthly sessions to obtain full graduate faculty status.

• All sessions are offered in a hybrid format. Faculty are required to attend in person unless they are fully remote. The hybrid option is provided for fully remote faculty only.
• All sessions will be facilitated by the School of Graduate Studies unless specified.

Introduction to Mentoring & Advising

August 26, 2024, 2-4 p.m.

January 13, 2025, 2-4 p.m. | Register for January 13

This 2 hour session is offered twice per year - once in the fall and once in the spring - and is required for all new graduate faculty to obtain full graduate faculty status. Topics covered during this session include:

• An overview of the importance of mentoring and advising in academic settings
• Understanding the roles and responsibilities of mentors and advisors
  • Exploring the benefits of effective mentoring and advising relationships - why does it matter?
  • Understanding ethical guidelines and professional standards in mentoring and advising.
  • Maintaining confidentiality and privacy in mentoring and advising relationships.
  • Balancing personal and professional boundaries.

Session 1: Aligning Expectations between Mentor & Mentee: How to Establish a Positive Mentoring & Advising Environment

September 10, 2024, 2-3 p.m. 

• Creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for mentees and advisees.
• Developing effective communication skills for building trust and rapport.
• Setting boundaries and managing expectations for the mentoring and advising relationship.
• Recognizing common challenges in mentoring and advising relationships.

Session 2: Effective Communication & Active Listening

October 10, 2024, 9:30-10:30 a.m. 

• Enhancing communication skills for effective mentoring and advising.
• Active listening techniques and strategies for understanding mentees' and advisees' needs.
• Providing clear and concise guidance and support.

Session 3: Providing Effective Feedback

Facilitator: Anna Kinney, UND Writing Center

October 22, 2024, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Promoting constructive feedback and maintaining a positive mentoring and advising experience.
• Providing clear and concise guidance and support in written and oral feedback.

Session 4: Fostering Independence: Goal Setting, Individual Development Planning, & Promoting Professional Development

November 5, 2024, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

• Assisting mentees and advisees in setting meaningful goals.
• Techniques for creating Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
• Monitoring progress and providing constructive feedback on goals.
• Understanding and supporting mentees' and advisees' academic and career aspirations.
• Navigating academic requirements, programs, and resources.
• Promoting professional development and networking opportunities.

Session 5: Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility in Mentoring & Advising

December 12, 2024, 2:30-3:30 p.m. | REGISTER FOR DECEMBER 12

Facilitators: Stacey Borboa-Peterson & Jeff Maliskey, Diversity and Inclusion

• Understanding the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in mentoring and advising.
• Strategies for providing culturally sensitive and inclusive support.
• Addressing bias and promoting equitable opportunities for mentees and advisees.
• Reasonable accommodations.

Session 6: Mental Health & Wellness

January 27, 2025, 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Register for January 27

Facilitator: Kaylee Trottier, University Counseling Center

• How to appropriately support students' intellectual and personal growth.
• How to recognize signs of distress that may require outside support.
• Referrals for students to resources and services that can help.

Session 7: Managing Conflict

February 11, 2025, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Facilitator: Emily Holth, Sustainable Solution Services

• Identifying conflict.
• Understanding different communication styles that result in miscommunication.
• Understanding mediation skills and de-escalation techniques.
• Identifying how much conflict is too much.

Session 8: Mentoring in a Digital World

March 4, 2025, 2-3 p.m.

• Maintaining connection virtually.
• The power of peer mentoring.
• Team building and collaborative activities.