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Cornell University

Faculty Advancing Inclusive Mentoring

A Collaboration of the Graduate School, Provost's Office of Faculty Development & Diversity, and TRUST Alliance

Becoming an Independent Scholar

As a mentee, you play a vital role in shaping your own scholarly identity which empowers you to take an active role in developing the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary for your academic and professional growth and success.

Stages of Mentorship

Shared responsibility for each area of core mutual expectations will help you transition from mentee to a self-reliant scholar ready to contribute meaningfully to your field.

Alt Text: Graphic that covers stages of mentoring relationships in graduate education. Written content is below: Initiation  Providing structure Establishing trust Defining mutual expectations Providing encouragement & affirmation Followed by Cultivation Coaching and providing sponsorship Supporting mentee career aspirations Increasing reciprocity and collegiality Promoting scholar-identity formation And finally Transition  Engaging in reflection Recognizing mutual growth and development Establishing scholarly independence Redefining relationship structure

Core Mutual Expectations & Scholarly Independence

Each FAIM area of core mutual expectations is in part designed to help mentees reach their academic and professional goals.

Communication

Clear and consistent communication helps you build the confidence and skills to convey your scholarly ideas effectively and collaborate within academic and professional settings.

Milestone Timeline and Funding Plans

Establishing a transparent timeline and understanding funding resources prepares you to plan and manage your research projects independently.

Health and Well-Being

Prioritizing well-being allows you to maintain the resilience and focus necessary to sustain a fulfilling scholarly career.

Teams and Relationships

Learning to build and nurture professional relationships ensures you can effectively collaborate and contribute within teams representing a diversity of expertise, backgrounds, and experiences.

Feedback on Scholarly Performance and Materials

Eliciting, interpreting, and implementing constructive feedback from your mentor(s) and others provides you with skills to refine your work and meet the high standards of independent scholarship.

Conflict Resolution

Developing strategies to navigate conflicts prepares you to maintain professional relationships and mitigate harm.

Authorship on Publications and Other Scholarly Products

Understanding authorship expectations ensures you can contribute meaningfully to scholarly work while protecting your intellectual contributions.

Service and Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Engaging in service and initiatives that contribute to Cornell’s core value – to provide a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect – creates opportunities for scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences to learn and work productively and positively together.

Professional and Career Development

Developing your network of mentors and collaborating with them on career planning helps you identify and achieve your goals, laying the foundation for long-term success as an independent scholar.