Events

As a result of participating in this event, attendees will be able to:

1. Define mentoring relationships and your role as a mentor/mentee.
2. Clearly communicate expectations for the mentoring relationship.

Effective communication skills solidify the foundation of a strong graduate mentee and faculty
mentor relationship. However, it may be challenging for graduate students and faculty advisors
to navigate differences in communication styles, preferences, and expectations. Graduate
mentees may also face uncertainty about how and when to raise concerns or share constructive
feedback with their advisors. In this session, graduate students will reflect on their own
communication strengths and identify areas for growth, practice strategies for expressing ideas
and concerns clearly, and learn techniques for adapting to their mentor’s communication style.
Participants will work together to explore ways of initiating constructive conversations and
maintaining open dialogue that fosters trust and mutual understanding throughout their graduate
experience.

As a result of participating in this event, attendees will be able to:

• Assess personal research skills using the 63 elements of the "Researcher Development
Framework" to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
• Analyze a case study to prioritize key research skills and explore strategies for skill
development.
• Develop effective communication strategies for discussing research skill development
needs with mentors to foster supportive mentoring relationships. 

As a result of participating in this event, attendees will be able to:

• Clarify your mentoring style and values
• Identify what’s working—and what you’d like to improve
• Create a plan for how you want to support others moving forward

As a result of participating in this event, attendees will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of proactive well-being for mentors and mentees.
• Understand both the protective as well as the risk factors for graduate student mentee
mental health.
• Identify concrete strategies for support if you are experiencing mental health challenges
and are already seeking counseling or other resources.

As a result of participating in this event, attendees will be able to:

• Identify core principles of responsible and ethical conduct of research in compliance with
NSF and NIH RCR/RECR training requirements.
• Analyze ethical dilemmas in research to recognize potential challenges and consider
appropriate actions.
• Develop strategies to uphold ethical research practices that meet both professional
standards and grant compliance requirements.

As a result of participating in this event, attendees will be able to:

1. Communicate effectively across diverse dimensions including varied backgrounds,
   disciplines, ethnicities, positions of power, etc.
2. Accept and use constructive feedback. 
3. Identify different communication styles/ approaches. 
4. Use multiple strategies for improving communication (in person, at a distance, across
   multiple mentors, and within proper personal boundaries).