Why?
In the Spring of 2019, the diversity committee surveyed our Phil grad students and asked how the program could create a welcoming environment for minority students. Mentoring was at the top of the list. Hence, this fall, the diversity committee is launching a mentoring program for 1st and 2nd year ASU philosophy grad students, both MA & Ph.D. First and second-year students will have one faculty mentor and one grad student mentor.

While it might not seem obviously related to "diversity," students from minority backgrounds are often in the most need of mentorship and often have fewer resources available than non-minority students. At the same time, it is great that this program can help all students regardless of minority status. Surveyed students also expressed interest in a better sense of community, and we believe the combination of faculty and grad student mentors can also serve this secondary purpose. We also hope that the mentoring program becomes a helpful and permanent feature of our graduate program and that it will make a meaningful difference in student perception of the program's "support system."  

Mentoring explained 

Many of us might forget that information that is now second nature might not be evident to new students who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Graduate student mentors are there to help bright-eyed and bushy-tailed mentees know "what you wish you had known* from the start. More formally, mentors  have the following responsibilities:

Meet with mentees for a conversation several times during the academic year. Conversations will vary depending on the mentees' and mentors' particular experiences, strengths, weaknesses, and goals. As mentioned, one way to look at things is in terms of what you wish you had figured out earlier in grad school. Discussions should help graduate students feel more comfortable, less confused, and more like they are part of a philosophical community. It is up to the mentor and mentee whether these meetings will be face-to-face or via Zoom.

The grad student mentor will be the mentee's "go-to" person for questions best directed at a fellow student. New students often have worries and confusion, and while they would like to ask about them, new students might have too much anxiety or too little confidence. Having someone "supposed to" answer these questions helps put new students at ease. 

In the fall semester, the mentor will read one paper of the mentee's and offer written feedback. This exchange is for the feedback itself and to get students used to philosophical interaction, especially receiving constructive criticism from other students. Studies show that grad students who had regular academic exchanges with peers had a more positive perception of graduate school than students who kept their research to themselves. 

During the Spring semester, the mentee and mentor will schedule a meeting in addition to the regular mentee meeting. The mentee will present a paper in progress as if they were presenting at a conference. The mentor will offer tips on the paper and on presenting itself (i.e., whether they are talking too fast, whether non-specialists can follow the subject, whether the visuals are sufficient, etc.) 

We know that all of this might seem a bit overwhelming, and no mentor should feel pressure to be perfect. Yet we hope that those who take part will find the program worth the effort. Moreover, we are optimistic that mentoring can make a real difference regarding the "feel" of support and community within our grad program. Even more, perhaps what we do at ASU can play a small but important role in moving the wider profession away from a culture of intellectual competition and toward one of scholarly collaboration.

In closing, please know that the diversity committee members will serve as mentors to graduate student mentors. Thus, we will send out reminder emails, schedule relevant meetings, and from time to time, offer advice. Most importantly, we are here to answer any questions you might have about mentoring. Please do not hesitate to ask via email or to schedule a virtual mentoring of mentors meet.