First-Generation Latina/o Graduate Students Mentoring First-Generation Latina/o Undergraduates: Perceived Costs/Benefits of Mentoring

• In Event: Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: Impact of Mentoring on Latinx Students in Higher Education

Abstract

The benefits of mentorship relationships has well been documented by researchers across disciplines. However, the majority of this research has focused on faculty members serving as mentors for undergraduate and graduate students. The benefits of mentoring undergraduate students by graduate students has been insufficiently studied, in particular how the mentoring relationship impacts the graduate students themselves. In this study, six first-generation Latino/a graduate students were interviewed about their experiences acting as mentors to first-generation Latina/o undergraduate students in a structured mentorship program. Through a qualitative analysis we identified issues that the graduate students experienced in their efforts to be effective mentors as well as how the mentor-mentee relationship impacted their professional and personal development.

Authors

• Melina Melgarejo, San Diego State University

• Cristina Alarcon, California State University - Northridge

• Diana Chagolla, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Gabriela Gutierrez

• Laura F. Romo, University of California - Santa Barbara