Motivated by research showing that mentorship confers benefits such as improved academic performance and greater social cohesion–with especially promising benefits for underrepresented minorities, women, and first-generation college students–the Expanding Diversity in Economics (EDE) Program is launching a new mentorship initiative for this year’s cohort.

Participating alumni from previous cohorts will mentor small groups of students from the 2024 cohort during the lead-up to and duration of this year’s Summer Institute. Using MentorPRO, a dynamic mentorship platform focused on a goal-focused, evidence-based approach to peer mentoring, mentors will meet regularly with students to provide guidance and support related to their experience with EDE. In addition to sharing personal insights, mentors and mentees will work together to complete a guided course on the science of building social capital. 

Prior to connecting with students, mentors will receive training in the MentorPRO Academy on building strong mentoring relationships, motivation, ethical challenges, and supportive accountability. At the conclusion of the Summer Institute they will  also receive digital badges from the Center for Evidence-Based Mentoring at UMass Boston. 

Learn more about the inaugural group of EDE alumni mentors below.

Works Cited

Anna, M., and Reinholz Daniel. Increasing STEM Success a Nearpeer Mentoring Program in the Physical Sciences. International journal of STEM education 3, 2016, link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40594-016-0043-2.

“Building, student engagement and belonging in Higher Education at a time of change. Paul Hamlyn Foundation 100 No. 199, 2012, www.phf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/What-Works-report-final.pdf.