Mentoring is integral to the holistic development of our faculty and students. UConn School of Medicine is dedicated to fostering supportive mentoring relationships that contribute to the academic and career growth of faculty and the educational journey of students. Through formal programs, resources, and consultations, we enhance mentoring skills and practices that contribute to the overall success of both faculty and students.

Mentor Training

• The Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) Entering mentoring training is a comprehensive training suitable for faculty at all levels. The goal of the 8-hour workshop is to provide evidence-informed skills to optimize mentoring relationships. This training is required of faculty seeking a new appointment to the UConn Graduate School and  addresses the NIGMS guidelines regarding the preparation of mentors involved in training grants. CIMER’s Entering Mentoring Training is offered twice yearly at UConn School of Medicine and periodically across UConn. Please contact Jenn Cavallari, CIMER Certified Trainer, Director of Faculty Development at cavallari@uchc.edu for more information.
• The National Research Mentoring Network: NRMN offers an on-line training for Mentoring Grad Students, Post Docs, and Early Career Faculty.  This course is designed to help faculty members (or other experienced researchers) optimize their mentoring relationships with graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and early-career faculty. The course is divided into a series of self-paced modules with an average completion time of 2-4 hours. The course is available for free after joining the NRMN network.

Mentoring Resources

• The National Academies The Science of Effective Mentoring in STEMM committee systematically compiled and analyzed current research on the characteristics, competencies, and behaviors of effective mentors and mentees in STEMM and developed a practical resource guide for mentoring practitioners to create and support viable, sustainable mentoring support systems. In addition to a report, the committee provides an online guide with links to resources, mentoring tools as well as a podcast.
• Colombia University’s Guide to Best Practices in Faculty Mentoring: A Roadmap for Departments, School, Mentors and Mentees (2016) is a comprehensive guide to develop and implement mentoring programs and practices.
• Monitor on Psychology – Your Guide to Mentoring.pdf. (2019) A Publication of the American Psychological Association that highlights best practices for receiving and giving mentoring including a section on how to mentor ethically.
• Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty. (2006) See Chapter 5, Mentoring and Being Mentored.

Mentoring Tools

• AAMC Compact Between Resident Physicians and Their Teachers

• UConn Health’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs provides resources in numerous domains including career development planning which provides a UConn Health Postdoc Career Development Plan form.

Letters of Recommendation

• How to Write Letters of Recommendation. Amy Oxantenko, M.D. Mayo Clinic Take 5 Channel. (4:47)
• Reducing Unconscious Bias: Writing Letters of Recommendation. Sharonne Hayes, M.D. Mayo Clinic Take 5 Channel. (6:46)