IMSD mentoring

The IMSD mentoring program utilizes a 4-level mentoring approach employing Peer mentors, On-site mentors, Distant mentors, and Near-Peer mentors to provide a unique network of peer and faculty mentors who provide site-specific career and structure to orient students into the culture of academia (biomedical research) and offers interpersonal and intrapersonal support to nurture the mentee’s professional development. The POD was developed, in part, because of the very low number of available minority faculty mentors and the very limited time that a mentor can spend with a mentee. As opposed to the one-mentor approach, the POD is multi-level and employs mentoring at three levels creating a unique network of peer and faculty mentors who provide site-specific career guidance.

Program Overview

Roles and Responsibilities of POD Mentorship Program

Role	Individual Filling the Roll	Responsibilities
Mentee	1st Year IMSD Student	Consistently initiate contact with Peer Mentor Attend a minimum of 1 meeting with each mentor during each semester Attend a minimum of 3 IMSD social events per semester Log mentoring encounters Participate in mentoring-related assessments Mentor undergraduate students
Peer Mentors	Upper-level (i.e., post-candidacy) graduate students, advanced IMSD students	Be collegial and supportive, offering directions based on first-hand experience Consistently initiate contact with mentee Attend 1 Peer Mentor training each year
Onsite Faculty Mentors	Graduate Program Directors and UAMS Research Faculty Mentors	Mentee’s advocate, liaison, and coach; provide information in targeted content areas (i.e., CV, IDP, goals, grants, collaborations)
Distant Mentors	Former IMSD Students (i.e., who have completed their Ph.D.)	Serve as the mentee’s career advisor, providing advice (ex. the dissertation process, job seeking, etc.)
IMSD Representative	MSD Leadership Team	Oversee matching of students and mentors and monitor subsequent mentor/mentee interactions and progress
Near-Peer Mentoring	All IMSD Students	Mentoring undergraduate students

Mentoring Interaction Log

Near Peer Mentoring Interest Form

Please complete this form if you are an undergraduate student who is interested in identifying a UAMS Graduate Student Mentor.