Overview
The Illinois Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Program is designed to enhance academic growth and foster an environment of trust, accountability, and communication between mentors and mentees. The program offers a network of support to graduate students, helping them navigate their academic and professional journeys. This program was developed from valuable lessons learned from the Illinois Sloan University Center for Exemplary Mentoring.
Program Structure
The program provides two years of financial support for doctoral students and one year for master's students. Scholars receive funds for educational and professional development pursuits, including relocation expenses, computer equipment, travel for research, and career exploration. Additionally, participants attend professional development workshops and mentoring activities; approximately 4-5 per semester. Scholars will have a mentoring team that includes their research advisor, department’s equity advocate, peer mentor, and director/assistant director of the Illinois Excellence in Graduate Mentoring program. The three main principles of the program are below:
Mentoring
Mentoring is essential for building a framework where graduate students are supported, develop critical skills, and build emotional connections for encouragement.
Professional Development
Professional development drives career readiness, enhances research skills, and broadens participants’ perspectives and opportunities.
Community
Communities help participants feel connected, opens engagement with a diverse group with various viewpoints, and networking which can lead to opportunities for research collaborations, internships, and job placements.
Benefits
- Financial Support: Up to $2,000 for doctoral students and $1,000 for master's students.
- Professional Development: Access to workshops, career coaching, and mentoring activities.
- Networking Opportunities: Build connections with peers, mentors, and professionals across departments.
- Community: Engage with a supportive community of scholars and mentors dedicated to fostering academic and professional success.
- Mentoring: Receive guidance and support from a dedicated mentoring team, including research faculty mentors, equity advocates, and peer mentors, to ensure a successful academic journey.
Departmental Support Criteria
- Submit the IL Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Program Form.
- Research faculty mentors agree to attend a mentoring workshop with their mentees during the first semester.
- Department agrees to designate an Equity Advocate that will serve on the student’s mentoring team. The Equity Advocate should be a faculty member or staff that is part of the department’s diversity committee, serves as the diversity officer, or as designated by the department chair.
Eligibility
- Must meet the criteria outlined for the GC Doctoral Equity Fellowship or GC Masters Equity Fellowship.
- Must agree to participate in all program activities.
- Open to newly admitted students and current first-year recipients of a GC Equity Fellowship.
All applications for the Illinois Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Program must be submitted by Friday, April 18th, 2025.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Illinois Excellence in Graduate Mentoring
Phone: 217-300-7747
Email: GradDiversity@illinois.edu