Effective mentoring in graduate education involves clear communication, timely feedback, psychosocial support, and intentional relationship-building. Below are key practices to help you support graduate student success across academic, professional, and personal areas.
Academic Guidance & Clarity
Demystify Graduate School
View tips for helping students navigate graduate school expectations and requirements.
- Share the most current program handbook and help students navigate it.
- Provide guidance on Graduate College policies and procedures.
- Link students to key deadlines and milestones such as proposal, defense, and submission.
- Clarify academic terms such as “quals,” “orals,” and “ABD”.
- Explain expectations that may otherwise remain unwritten, including committee roles, research timelines, and graduate assistant responsibilities.
- Outline both formal and informal evaluation processes.
- Intentionally connect online or remote students with faculty and peers.
- Communicate early about any issues that could affect academic standing or funding eligibility.
Encourage Mentorship Networks
View tips for supporting students in building strong mentorship networks.
- Support students in building a diverse team of mentors including peers, faculty, alumni, and professionals.
- Facilitate introductions and schedule initial meetings when possible, for both in-person and online students.
- Recommend networking opportunities available through departmental events, professional associations, or virtual platforms.
- Encourage participation in conferences and online scholarly communities.
- Offer advice on how to reach out, follow up, and maintain professional connections.
Offer Constructive Academic Feedback
View tips for providing effective and actionable academic feedback.
- Provide feedback that is timely, specific, and actionable.
- Acknowledge both strengths and areas for improvement to foster balanced growth.
- Set aside time to discuss feedback and clarify any confusion.
- When progress slows, check in to identify any challenges and provide support.
- Help students manage complex projects by breaking them into smaller, achievable steps.
Psychosocial Support and Relationship Building
Stay Engaged
View tips for maintaining meaningful and consistent engagement with students.
- Acknowledge students in everyday interactions, whether in person or online.
- Maintain regular communication with remote learners through video calls or informal check-ins.
- Reach out to students who seem withdrawn to determine whether they are facing challenges or navigating cultural norms.
- Clearly communicate how and when students can contact you.
- Be flexible when students face personal or academic difficulties.
Support Growth and Student Confidence
View tips for fostering student confidence and personal growth.
- Share your own experiences to help normalize mistakes and learning curves.
- Create space for students to express ideas, even when they feel unsure.
- Validate common feelings such as imposter syndrome and offer reassurance.
- Let students know that changing advisors or mentors is sometimes necessary and acceptable.
- Celebrate accomplishments and help students recognize their own progress.
- Be available for both academic and personal conversations when appropriate.
- Adapt your mentoring style to each student’s goals, needs, and background.
- Encourage students to think creatively and develop independent solutions.
- Recognize and affirm the unique experiences and skills that each student brings.
- Be familiar with campus resources and refer students when helpful.
Model Respect and Empathy
View tips for demonstrating respect, empathy, and mutual learning in mentoring.
- Give your full attention during meetings and avoid interruptions or distractions.
- Use video during virtual meetings to enhance connection and presence.
- Take brief notes during meetings to support continuity and follow-up.
- Let students know when you learn from them, as it builds mutual respect.
- Acknowledge the diverse perspectives and experiences students bring.
- Share your own graduate school journey with openness and empathy.
Explore More Resources
For tools, templates, training, and suggested frameworks, visit:
Mentoring Resources for Faculty
This page includes:
- Mentor-Mentee agreement templates
- Annual progress meeting tools
- Self-assessment and evaluation forms
- Resources for inclusive mentoring
- Guidance for navigating mentoring challenges
Share with Your Students
You are encouraged to share our student-facing mentoring pages with your graduate students. These resources help students understand mentoring, build relationships, and prepare for mentoring meetings.