Foundations of Mentoring

Foundations of Mentoring:
Building Trust and Aligning Expectations

Research repeatedly shows that constructive mentoring relationships have a positive impact on student and faculty success. But despite significant and important institutional commitments to launch and maintain formalized mentoring programs, many in higher education– both in mentor and mentee roles– still find themselves lacking the necessary skills to cultivate healthy mentoring dynamics. The session– the first in an imagined three-part mentoring curriculum– invites members of the university community to reflect on what understandings and skills they need to lay the groundwork for robust mentoring relationships that can weather challenges and continue to positively shape individuals across their academic and professional trajectories.

The session is adaptable for a wide variety of audiences including faculty (in mentor or mentee roles, graduate students and academic leaders. The session is 120 minutes, and is currently only available in an in-person synchronous format. It will be available at U-M across the Fall 2026 term, and available for travel by request, depending on the Players capacity.