Resources for Faculty or Postdoc Mentors
Mentors are instrumental in advancing the academic, career, and personal development of their mentees. The Graduate School has curated resources, templates, and tools to equip mentors with the support necessary for effective mentorship.
Mentoring Plans
A mentoring plan is drafted by the faculty (or postdoc) mentor; is unique to the needs of each trainee, research group, and project; and is updated regularly.
Mentoring Plan Document Details
Visit the link below to see additional information on completing a mentoring plan as well as sample text language that can be use for grants applications as well and other mentoring activities.
Tips for Effective Graduate Student Mentoring
As an Advisor. Career planning, course selection, issues with cohort members
- Understand different career paths in academia, government, and industry
- Ask what your advisee is looking for in an advisor, share what you can and cannot provide
- Set boundaries
As a Classroom Teacher. Mentorship around how to engage in effective dialogue; providing feedback on writing and presenting; supporting students in navigating tension with peers and disagreeing constructively
- Mediate difficult dialogues
- Provide opportunities for reflection on one’s identities
- Provide numerous, sustained opportunities for students to engage in the practices you expect
As a Research Team Leader. How to build relationships with other team members; developing research skills; navigating imposter syndrome; thinking about students’ identity in relation to their work
- Provide space for journaling about the research process
- Provide time to practice and receive feedback
- Allow space for leaning on experienced research team members’ experiences
As a Dissertation Chair. Answering questions about sample, methodology; coaching when students are struggling; providing writing feedback; helping students set realistic expectations
- Provide constructive feedback
Mediate dialogue/tension between committee members
Navigating conflict
Listen. Learn. Discuss. is a set of skill-building resources for respectfully listening, discussing different points of view, building trust with one another, and successfully navigating complex conversations even – and especially – when we disagree.
The Office of Ombuds Services provides an independent, impartial, and confidential space where faculty members, graduate and professional students, and postdoctoral scholars can discuss issues and receive informal counsel and advice.
Community Building and Conflict Resolution (CBCR) provides support to staff, faculty, and students with academic or Ohio State workplace concerns who are seeking to address conflicts and challenges within a restorative framework.
Both ombuds work with postdocs.
Mentee Toolkit
Are you a graduate student or postdoc looking for mentoring resources? The Graduate School has created a set of resources specifically for you.
Other Mentorship Resources
Need additional resources such as resources across campus? The Graduate School has brought together several resources to help support both mentors and mentees.
Ohio State Mentoring Initiative
The Graduate School is fully invested in supporting mentor and mentee development at Ohio State. Learn more and find general resources on our Mentorship page.