Inclusive Mentoring

Space must be made for belonging with vigilance to the insidious nature of imposter syndrome and the external realities reinforcing it.

Self-Authorship

First-generation students and other populations new to the cultures of the academy should be empowered with the institutional literacy to author their own narratives of success, understanding how to contextualize failure and balance the often competing demands of academics and personal well-being.

To improve mentoring and support the persistence and success of historically minoritized students in science, the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) developed mentor training to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to support a diverse workforce. In the first video, Byars-Winston and Crouse Quinn discuss how racism and a lack of cultural diversity awareness in mentoring relationships negatively impacts trainees. In the second video, they offer mentor training resources and strategies to help individuals become more culturally aware.

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’ activities fit into the “bigger picture” 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—and, especially, public—positive 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 “safe spaces” 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.Ěý

Recruitment and SelectionInclusive Mentoring


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Enable Transformative Learning

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) represents an opportunity to enable student-centered education that makes the most of CU Boulder’s global leadership in research and creative production.Ěý

With well-documented benefits from persistence to postgraduate success, engagement in the research and creative life of the university can clarify career paths and prepare students for the future of work. We invite you to explore our programming, consider giving and contact us as you have questions. Donations support empowering opportunities in all fields of study. .