Mindful Mentoring

First Steps

Take care to explain the cultural norms in your field, which can pose barriers for students unfamiliar with terminology, structures and goals.

Point out how students鈥 activities fit into the 鈥渂igger picture鈥 of your work and broader field, which helps them see applications and increases engagement.

Clearly explaining and discussing expectations early can identify gaps in understanding and help students feel more comfortable asking questions. Creating a Mentor Agreement can help.

Many students have work and family commitments that complicate their schedules and pose barriers to participation without flexibility.

Mindful Mentoring

The CU Red Folder describes how to recognize signs of distress, respond appropriately and direct students to campus resources.

Timely, specific鈥攁nd, especially, public鈥攑ositive feedback will help students gain confidence in their abilities; criticism should be private.

Telling students your professional story can help them see and navigate new pathways while overcoming "imposter syndrome."

Highlight opportunities to present, publish and pursue graduate studies, which is especially critical for historically minoritized students.

Inclusive Excellence

Celebrating diversity with a multicultural, identity-affirming approach is more beneficial than ignoring the differences among us.

Expressing ally identities from privileged positions can create 鈥渟afe spaces鈥 where all members feel welcome and comfortable.

Transparency in evaluations of student work helps ensure the work environment is not perceived as more beneficial to some groups.

Our campus has professional development resources to help with important dialogues about diversity, equity and inclusion.

Celebrating 40 Years

91传媒 has an expansive history engaging undergraduates in the research and creative life of the campus dating to the creation of UROP in 1986.