Faculty Mentor Toolbox

Effective mentoring shapes the student's growth as a researcher and individual.

By providing guidance, mentors can leave a lasting impact on their undergraduate research students. The following tips are best practices for mentoring:

Establish expectations and foster open communication. Clearly establish expectations regarding deadlines, responsibilities, work hours, and modes of communication. Encourage students to freely ask questions, share ideas, and voice concerns.
Make steps and goals clear. Provide a step-by-step guide for the research process, breaking it down into manageable steps. Include necessary education, training, milestones, and essential skills needed to progress through the research process. Collaborating with students to establish clear, specific, and achievable research goals helps them stay focused and motivated throughout the research process.
Promote independence. Encourage independence by promoting critical thinking and decision-making. Empower them to make choices, solve problems, and take support ownership of their research, offering support when necessary.
Hold meetings. Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with students. These meetings provide opportunities to discuss progress, offer constructive feedback, and provide the necessary support to keep students on track.
Provide constructive feedback. Offer constructive feedback that is specific and helps students improve their research skills and knowledge. Feedback should focus on strengths and areas for improvement, guiding them toward growth.
Engage with the research community. Encourage students to participate in the larger research community by attending seminars, conferences, and research group meetings. Advocate for collaboration with other researchers to enhance the research experience.
Teach ethics and integrity. Ensure that students understand the importance of research ethics, including proper citation, responsible experimentation, and ethical behavior in the academic and professional world.
Support well-being. Acknowledge and be attentive and supportive of students’ well-being. Provide resources or referrals to campus services when necessary.
Celebrate achievements. Recognize and celebrate students’ accomplishments, both big and small. This helps to boost their motivation, confidence, and sense of achievement.
Adapt to learning styles. Recognize that each student has a unique learning style. Tailor your mentoring approach to accommodate these differences.
Encourage curiosity. Foster a culture of curiosity and creative thinking. Encourage your students to ask questions, explore new ideas, and think outside the box.
Teach time management. Help students develop effective time management strategies to balance their research commitments with the other demands on their time.
Cultivate resilience. Teach students how to cope with failure and setbacks, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and learning from mistakes.
Be accessible. Make yourself accessible beyond scheduled meetings, encouraging students to reach out with questions or concerns whenever needed.
Promote inclusivity. Create an inclusive research environment that values diversity. Address any biases or barriers that may exist and ensure that all students feel welcome and respected.
Evaluate and adjust. Regularly assess your mentoring approach by seeking feedback from students. Make necessary adjustments to improve the mentoring experience.
Encourage reflection. Encourage students to reflect on their research experiences, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. This self-awareness fosters personal and academic growth.
Provide opportunities for publication. If the research has the potential for publication, guide the student through the process of writing and submitting a manuscript. This experience can significantly enhance their academic credentials.
Prepare for life After undergrad. Discuss students’ future goals and provide guidance, whether it be pursuing graduate programs, entering the job market, or other paths. Offer guidance on how their research experience can benefit them in achieving their goals.