Chemistry Graduate Student Mentoring Program

Chemistry Graduate Student Mentoring Program

The Chemistry Graduate Student Mentoring Program is a collaboration between the Chemistry Department and CWD. It builds upon the Faculty Graduate Student Mentoring Program.

The goals of the program are to:

• Use faculty and industry expertise for the personal and professional development of chemistry graduate students
• Provide graduate students with personal and career guidance
• Increase the retention of graduate students in Chemistry
• Prepare students with a realistic viewpoint of the career paths in the field of Chemistry.

Nanotechnology Mentoring Program

The Nanotechnology Mentoring program was developed in the fall of 2001 in cooperation with the Center for Nanotechnology and CWD. Its primary objective is to serve the student population through positive social, professional and academic networking, occupational guidance, student retention, informational programs, and providing students with positive role models. In addition, the mentoring program serves a diverse student population including graduate students from nine interdisciplinary fields. Students are encouraged to participate in the multifaceted aspects of the program, which are comprised of the mentor and mentee relationship, industry speakers and department luncheons.

Examples of program events include:

• Nanotechnology Day which includes a panel discussion from industry and academia with current topics of interest, ethics and research projects
• Lunchtime speakers: In collaboration with the Nanotechnology Student Association, invited leaders from industry and academia are invited to speak on selected topics
• Quarterly "Meet and Greet" between mentor and mentee, which serves as a social function that initiates the relationship between the mentoring program participants.

Undergraduate Professional Mentoring Program

The Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Professional Mentoring program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to develop relationships with professionals in engineering and science fields. In 1998, the program was the recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring and is dedicated to facilitating the personal and career development of women in these fields.

The objectives of the program are:

• Match Students with positive role models
• Expand students' horizons
• Network with professional community
• Assist students to make the transition from school to work
• Offer personal and career guidance
• Reinforce academic and professional skills.

The WISE Professional Mentoring program is geared to students who have already decided on their respective science or engineering area of study. These students are matched with a mentor in their field and participate in program events and training workshops. Students and professionals have an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of their mentoring relationship annually.

Chemistry Graduate Student Mentoring Program