UCR GSMP Postdoc Mentor CIMER Certification

Purpose:

1. Provide mentorship and guidance to incoming first-year and peer mentor graduate students to increase retention, especially among the most vulnerable populations, by explaining university policies and procedures and the professional environment of the academy by connecting students to campus resources. 

2. Set standards and guidelines on best practices for mentorship among the graduate student population. 

3. Train and professionalize faculty and postdoctoral mentors with international educator standards needed to be an effective mentor.

4. Nurture knowledgeable faculty and postdoctoral mentors who are familiar with academic, social, and wellness best practices at UCR to support graduate students.

5. Create a network of mentors and build a sense of community among graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty at UCR.

Certification and badging required components:

1. Participate in at least four hours of the GSMP Faculty & Postdoc Mentorship Training Program. Improving research mentoring relationships for mentees and mentors through the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based and culturally-responsive interventions as supported by organizations such as the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER).

2. Serve as a GSMP mentor for a full academic year, fall through spring.

3. Meet with community members in the mentoring cluster individually or in a group and submit the mentee and mentor report form on the GSMP website quarterly.

4. Attend GSMP and campus-wide events with GSMP cluster members.

5. Contact the GSMP Specialist or the Director of GradSuccess if a mentee is showing signs of not adjusting to graduate school well or if mentors seem to be having trouble interacting with their mentees.