Equity-Minded Mentoring
Advancing Equity Through Mentoring
The Equity-Minded Mentoring (EMM) Course and Certificate Program supports graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in developing and applying evidence-based strategies that promote the success of historically marginalized students in science and academia through an equity-centered approach.
In a supportive learning environment, participants:
- Implement communication strategies attentive to social positionality and systems of power
- Establish clear, mutually agreed-upon expectations with mentees
- Promote mentees’ sense of belonging and disciplinary identity
- Support mentees’ professional and career development
- Develop a plan to assess their effectiveness as mentors
- Create a mentoring philosophy statement that articulates how equity values inform their mentoring practices
This program is offered as a course with a certificate option. Graduate students selected to participate enroll in GRAD 213: Equity-Minded Mentoring and receive course credit, while postdoctoral scholars earn a professional development certificate.
Winter 2026 Course Details
The course will meet for five bi-weekly sessions during Winter Quarter, held synchronously on Zoom. Each session combines research-based readings, structured activities, and peer exchange, with assignments to complete between meetings.
Course dates (Tuesdays, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM PT):
- January 13 (Week 2)
- January 27 (Week 4)
- February 10 (Week 6)
- February 24 (Week 8)
- March 10 (Week 10)
Between sessions, participants will:
- Engage with relevant literature on equitable mentoring
- Review sample mentoring philosophy statements
- Reflect on their values as mentors
- Draft a mentoring philosophy statement
- Provide and receive constructive peer feedback
Participants are expected to attend all five sessions and complete the readings and assignments. With support from peers and facilitators, they will explore mentorship strategies and develop materials relevant to their current and future mentoring roles.
How to Participate
The EMM program is designed for graduate students and postdoc scholars who are:
- Located in STEM and Social Sciences disciplines
- Interested in equity-centered teaching, research, and mentoring
Participating graduate students enroll in GRAD 213: Equity-Minded Mentoring and receive course credit for successful completion of the course.
Participating postdocs receive a professional development certificate indicating successful completion of the program.
The application period for Winter 2026 is now closed. Information about the Winter 2027 program will be available next fall.
We utilize an application system due to the high demand for participation in this program. We aim to create a cohort of Equity-Minded Mentors representing a variety of disciplines and positions on campus (e.g., a balance between graduate students and postdocs). Due to grant funding commitments, we also need to reserve a few spots for graduate students and postdoc mentors participating in those grants. If you are not accepted this year, we highly encourage you to participate in the program’s next iteration!