The University as Mentor: Lessons Learned from UMBC Inclusiveness Initiatives
 

The University as Mentor outlines the key actions that the University of Maryland Baltimore County has taken to achieve an inclusive graduate community. Recognizing that universities face common challenges and often benefit from the shared lessons of others, this case study presents ten “lessons learned” and practical advice intended to be accessible and applicable to other universities. The “lessons learned” identified here address two national challenges facing graduate education. First, the recruitment challenge is answered by describing the steps that must be taken to create a welcoming and positive environment for underrepresented students, an environment that will attract and support doctoral students throughout their academic careers and position them to be successful in the job market. Second, the retention challenge is addressed by describing how research universities can change their institutional environment in ways that promote success among its doctoral students, paying particular attention to fostering degree completion of underrepresented minorities and women. This publication builds not only on the UMBC experience, but also on important research and publications on the topics of doctoral student attrition, retention and mentoring.

To download the complete case study, please please click here (PDF).

Contents:

• Front Matter (PDF)
• Introduction
• Lesson One - Campus Leadership
• Lesson Two - Campus-wide Involvement
• Lesson Three - Graduate Admissions
• Lesson Four - Mentoring Systems
• Lesson Five - Monitoring Graduate Student Progress
• Lesson Six - Orientation
• Lesson Seven - Financial Support
• Lesson Eight - Recognition and Rewards
• Lesson Nine - Support Systems for Underrepresented Students
• Lesson Ten - Professional Development
• Conclusion