Mentor Resources

Mentors are at the center of all undergraduate research at MSU. Benjamin Disraeli, the late-1800s British Prime Minister, said, "The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but to reveal him his own." MSU research mentors are at the heart of our institution, making it stronger with each student they inspire.  

Below you will find links to established resources as well as basic guidelines for mentoring students. Remember, if you have any questions about mentoring as a faculty member or as a graduate student, the Center for Faculty Excellence and the Undergraduate Scholars Program are here on campus to assist. 

MSU's Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE) has a library of resources online as well as trainings for mentors (faculty and graduate student) throughout the year. We HIGHLY recommend visiting the CFE's Mentor Training page!

MSU has an insitutional membership to the Council on Undergraduate Research. CUR has mentor resources that include a code of ethics, assessment tools, characteristics of excellence, and more. How to Access CUR Institutional Membership

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has an excellent page for mentors both in AND out of the sciences. "NSF 101: The Mentoring Plan" is a great place to start when recruiting undergrads. 

MSU's newly created  Research Alliance has been created to give mentors access to all of the support for your research--from start to finish--that the university has to offer. Planning, grant writing, assessment and more can all be accessed in one space. Come by the Alliance space in Renne Library. 

Want help in the publication process? Need assistance with data management? The Renne Libraryis where you want to be. 

Mentor-Mentee Relations

Editable PDF

There are a variety of ways to establish rhythms and norms of a mentor-mentee relationship. This page outlines some important topics to discuss when first establishing a mentorship. This is a living document—adapt it to fit for you!  

Mentorship Activities 

• Intellectual Support: 

• Research guidance, literature reviews, conceptualizing research questions. 

• Professional Support: 

• Resume/CV development, conference preparation, career advice. 

• Social Support: 

• Navigating academic environment, building professional relationships, mental health resources. 

Boundaries 

• Time Commitment: 

• Mentor's availability, mentee's expected commitment. 

• Communication Boundaries: 

• Platforms for communication, response time expectations. 

• Feedback Mechanisms: 

• Written, emailed, verbal. 

• Mandatory Reporting Disclosure: 

• Discuss any mandatory reporting obligations. 

Handling Challenges 

• Signs of Struggling Students: 

• Difficulty meeting deadlines, poor performance, absenteeism, increased anxiety. 

• Support Strategies: 

• Listening, providing options, connecting with professional support. 

• Conflict Resolution: 

• Identifying issues, private discussions, creating action plans. 

Mentor-Mentee Expectations /Agreement

Purpose 

The purpose of this document is to clearly outline the roles, responsibilities, and expectations for both the mentor and the mentee to facilitate a smooth transition into research. This agreement aims to foster a productive, respectful, and supportive mentoring relationship. 

Mentor Information 

• Name: 

• Goes By: 

• Pronouns: 

• Email: 

• Phone #: 

• Other Accounts: (e.g., Slack, Teams) 

• Typical Working Hours: 

• Communication Preferences: 

• Urgent: 

• General: 

Mentee Information 

• Full Name: 

• Goes By: 

• Pronouns: 

• Major/Minors: 

• Year in School: 

• Type of Position: (Volunteer/Paid/Course Credit) 

• Typical Working Hours: 

• Email: 

• Phone #: 

• Other Accounts: (e.g., Slack, Teams) 

• Communication Preferences: 

• Urgent: 

• General: 

Goals and Objectives 

• Mentee Education and Career Goals: 

• Short-Term Goals: 

• Long-Term Goals: 

• Project/Main Task(s) for Mentee: 

Availability 

• General Weekly Availability (filled = available): 

Communication Plan 

• Preferred Methods of Communication: 

• Urgent: 

• General: 

• Frequency of Meetings: (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly) 

• Mode of Meetings: (e.g., in-person, Zoom, phone) 

Record-Keeping 

• Preferred Method and Format for Record-Keeping: 

• Documentation tools, frequency of updates. 

Review and Reassessment 

• Quarterly Review Schedule: 

• Beginning of Quarter: Set goals, schedule, and hours. 

• Weekly Check-ins: Progress updates, addressing challenges. 

• End of Quarter: Review progress, provide feedback, update CVs. 

Signatures 

By signing below, both parties agree to the terms and expectations outlined in this document. 

Mentor Signature: ___________________________ 

Date: ___________________________ 

Mentee Signature: ___________________________ 

Date: ___________________________