The Use of the Individual Development Plan at Minority-Serving Institutions

• In Event: Mentoring Ethnic/Racial-Minority Students Through Various Lenses

Abstract

The Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a common mentoring tool in higher education. Students and postdoctoral researchers could use it to facilitate mentoring conversations with their mentors and create action plans for the coming semesters. The entire process helps mentees achieve short-term and long-term objectives. Little is known about how historically underrepresented minority groups are supported during this process. This study investigated the IDP implementations at 504 minority serving institutions (MSIs) that primarily serve the African-American, Hispanic//Latinx, and Native-American populations. We systematically reviewed the IDP tools and policies at each of the MSIs to analyze the emphasized mentoring aspects and implementation approaches. The findings could provide decision-makers and faculty mentors with insights for supporting minority trainees.

Authors

• Chi-Ning Chang, Virginia Commonwealth University
  Presenting Author

• Laura J. Malagon-Palacios, University of Kansas
  Non-Presenting Author

• Cammie Dawn Justus-Smith, Virginia Commonwealth University
  Presenting Author