Mentoring

"People from marginalized communities pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) disciplines face obstacles such as hostile environments (e.g., sexual harassment), lack of representation, and poor mentorship that challenge their sense of belonging [e.g., Berhe et al., 2022]. This is true for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx/e people, as well as for other people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, white women, and people with disabilities." 

Burt, M. A., R. T. Barnes, S. Schanz, S. Clinton, and E. V. Fischer (2023), Mentorship builds inclusivity and belonging in the geosciences, Eos, 104, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EO230020. Published on 26 January 2023. 

A significant goal of the MFT project is to build the foundation for institutional transformation at UAF that will create a supportive educational and research environment for Alaska Native and other frequently marginalized communities to flourish. This process will begin with the development of a comprehensive mentoring program that reflects the diverse backgrounds and identities of graduate students in the geosciences and continue by engaging our project partners and diversity consultants to assist in developing this program. We will explore the possibility of expanding the Rural Student Services undergraduate mentoring program at UAF to include graduate students in STEM disciplines. We will also pursue collaboration with UAF Career Services and the University of Alaska Office of Workforce Development, as well as with a variety of state and national organizations and entities to help provide elements of mentoring, workforce development, and postgraduate job placement. 

• Mentoring.org - National mentoring partnership

• Best Practices for Diversity and Inclusion in STEM Education and Research from WhiteHouse.gov

• ARC Network - a STEM equity brain trust

• National Research Mentoring Network - mentoring to diversify the biomedical workforce

• The science of effective mentorship in STEM from the National Academies of Science

• Article: Mentoring underrepresented students for success - Contemporary Educational Psychology journal, Vol. 75, 10-10-23

• STEM for Her mentoring program

• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

• 5 pieces of advice for would-be STEM mentors - Built In: tech trends website, J.T. Phan, 2-28-22

• Promising Practices for Addressing the Underrepresentation of Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine - NAS Consensus Report, 2020