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Space must be made for belonging with vigilance to the insidious nature of imposter syndrome and the external realities reinforcing it.
Self-Authorship
First-generation students and other populations new to the cultures of the academy should be empowered with the institutional literacy to author their own narratives of success, understanding how to contextualize failure and balance the often competing demands of academics and personal well-being.
Campus Support
Culturally Aware Mentoring
To improve mentoring and support the persistence and success of historically minoritized students in science, the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) developed mentor training to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to support a diverse workforce. In the first video, Byars-Winston and Crouse Quinn discuss how racism and a lack of cultural diversity awareness in mentoring relationships negatively impacts trainees. In the second video, they offer mentor training resources and strategies to help individuals become more culturally aware.
Part 1: A Conversation on Culturally Aware Mentoring
Presented by iBiology.org
Part 2: Resources and Strategies
Presented by iBiology.org
First Steps
Communicate the Norms
Take care to explain the cultural norms in your field, which can pose barriers for students unfamiliar with terminology, structures and goals.
Frame the “Bigger Picture”
Point out how students’ activities fit into the “bigger picture” of your work and broader field, which helps them see applications and increases engagement.
Establish Expectations
Clearly explaining and discussing expectations early can identify gaps in understanding and help students feel more comfortable asking questions. Creating a Mentor Agreement can help.
Give Flexibility with Schedules
Many students have work and family commitments that complicate their schedules and pose barriers to participation without flexibility.
Mindful Mentoring
Be Attentive to Well-Being
The CU Red Folder describes how to recognize signs of distress, respond appropriately and direct students to campus resources.
Give Better Feedback
Timely, specific—and, especially, public—positive feedback will help students gain confidence in their abilities; criticism should be private.
Share Your Story
Telling students your professional story can help them see and navigate new pathways while overcoming "imposter syndrome."
Guide Next Steps
Highlight opportunities to present, publish and pursue graduate studies, which is especially critical for historically minoritized students.
Supporting Mental Health & Well-being
Communication & Feedback
Inclusive Excellence
Lead an Inclusive Workplace
Celebrating diversity with a multicultural, identity-affirming approach is more beneficial than ignoring the differences among us.
Model Ally Behaviors
Expressing ally identities from privileged positions can create “safe spaces” where all members feel welcome and comfortable.
Resist Favoritism
Transparency in evaluations of student work helps ensure the work environment is not perceived as more beneficial to some groups.
Keep Learning
Our campus has professional development resources to help with important dialogues about diversity, equity and inclusion.