Gatekeep or Gateway: Exploring How Latina/o/x Ph.D. Students Develop, Sustain, and Utilize Validating Faculty Mentoring Relationships

• In Event: Narratives of Disruptions: Counter-Stories for Resistance and Possibilities in Graduate Education

Abstract

This qualitative narrative study examines the experiences of 40 Latina/o/x Ph.D. students and their experiences in faculty-student mentoring relationships. Using validation theory and two rounds of semi-structured interviews, participants shared impactful key moments in mentoring relationships that contributed to a gateway of learning the doctoral socialization processes and developing strategies to reach degree completion. Impactful mentoring practices from faculty mentors included building rapport, providing words of encouragement, and providing research opportunities to enhance their research skills. Controversially, some participants shared invalidating and gatekeeping moments they encountered that discouraged them in their doctoral programs. Recommendations are provided to help doctoral faculty and graduate programs better support Latina/o/x doctoral students.

Author

• Edgar Fidel Lopez, California State University - Northridge