Adapting a Mentoring Program to Meet the Changing Developmental Needs of Ed.D. Students

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: Mentoring Pathways in Higher Education

Abstract

Scholar-practitioner doctoral students face a unique set of challenges and developmental milestones throughout their doctoral programs, calling for specialized support. Mentoring is one such support which provides academic, career, and psychosocial support to students. In this study, we implemented a mentoring pathways program for second-year Education Doctorate (EdD) students, consisting of monthly presentations and discussions led by mentors who are former graduates of the EdD program. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with mentees. After analyzing the data, four themes were discovered: 1) importance of mentoring format; 2) mentoring as an opportunity for networking; 3) support from faculty and mentors; and 4) tailoring mentoring to mentees’ unique experiences.

Authors

• Kat R McConnell, Marquette University

• Rachel Louise Geesa, Ball State University

• Nicholas Patrick Elam, Ball State University

• Ellie Clark, Ball State University