Mentoring Training

All postdocs are mentees in some capacity and many act as mentors themselves. As such, postdoc training is a critical moment to develop and implement robust mentoring practices needed for a successful career in academia and beyond. In fact, academic institutions have been increasingly discussing the need for evidence of mentoring in promotion & tenure processes implying that mentoring will become one of the central tenets of academic success.

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs offers Postdoc Mentoring Training each year during the Spring Semester. Based on the Mentoring Up for Postdoctoral Trainees curriculum developed by the Center for Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research, this training program is designed to guide postdocs through some of the challenges and concerns that mentees and mentors encounter in mentoring relationships.

The 2025 iteration of Postdoc Mentoring is over. Check back in Spring 2026 for the next iteration.

2025 Mentoring Training

Program Details

The program relies heavily on an active and engaged group learning community. As such, participants are expected to prepare, attend, and actively engage during sessions. Activities will range from case study discussions, self-reflection, reading, and discussing the tools you can use to build mentoring competencies. The program materials developed based on curricula and modules from the Center for Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research.

Program Format

7 sessions (1h each)
In person - Gillis Building, conference room 104
Mondays at 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM (you have the option to attend one or the other!)
Once a week
Starts January 27, 2025
Ends March 10, 2025

Schedule

01/27/2025 | Introduction to Mentoring Up
02/02/2025 | Aligning Expectations
02/10/2025 | Maintaining Effective Communication & Cultivating Ethical Behavior
02/17/2025 | Addressing Equity and Inclusion
02/24/2025 | Self-Efficacy
03/03/2025 | Achieving Independence & Seeking Professional Development
03/10/2025 | Work Life Integration & Articulating your Mentoring Philosophy

Accommodating schedules

In an effort to accommodate as many participants as possible, training sessions are offered twice in the same day, once at 12:00 PM and repeated once again at 5:00 PM. In the application, you will be asked which is more convenient to you. However, you have the option to attend one or the other each week.

Eligibility

All University of Kentucky doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars & fellows are eligible to participate. The program can accommodate 30 participants and seats will be given on a first-come-first-served basis. Priority will be given to postdocs but doctoral students are welcome and encouraged to apply.