Mentoring Program Rationale and Description

Mentoring is a key variable in determining the success or failure in completing a doctoral program. Inasmuch as the McNair program is designed to enhance the graduate experience, the benefits of undergraduate mentoring is two-fold; that of providing an apprenticeship alliance between the mentor and the mentee, and imprinting the mentoring habit in the student participant. The faculty, on a day-to-day basis, will make a difference in the students’ perceptions of graduate school. Hall and Allen (1982) found students’ perceptions of greater opportunities for establishing mentor relationships were influential in raising achievement levels.

The McNair Mentoring component is designed to establish role models, provide academic support, and increase immersion in the academic culture. The mentoring program bridges academic and social gaps between faculty and scholars. Through shared academic and social activities, bonding occurs between McNair Scholars and mentors. Mentoring also provides the exposure and the insight essential for the participants to understand what is needed to become successful in the academic world. Through the mentoring program, the McNair Scholars’ self-perceptions, level of personal and academic expectations and likelihood for success is increased. The mentors will guide the Scholars through the summer Research Institute and accompany them to conferences and seminars that are designed to enhance the student’ knowledge of graduate study. The mentoring component of the McNair program consists of a continuous supportive relationship between the student and the mentor.