PACE Program Descriptions
“No [human] is an island.” - John Donne.
Research shows the benefits of peer mentoring are vast.(1,2) Participating as a peer-mentee increases overall success rates in academic studies, leads to increased research productivity and an increased probability of holding leadership roles. Our holistic approach to success focuses on mental health and spreading awareness of non-cognitive resources and best practices - all presented in an equitable and inclusive way. Our department is part of a world-class research institute, and we aim to strengthen our student community to reflect the success and diversity that our university embodies.
[1] Lueck, A. J., & Boehm, B. (2016). Graduate Student Peer Mentoring Programs: Benefitting Students, Faculty and Academic Programs. In G. Wright (Ed.), The Mentoring Continuum: From Graduate School Through Tenure. Syracuse University Press.[2] Steiner, J.F., et al. (2004). Assessing the Role of Influential Mentors in the Research Development of Primary Care Fellows. Academic Medicine, Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, Vol. 79, No. 9.
Exceleration
This 1-on-1 grad-grad peer mentoring programs pairs up more senior graduates in our department with our 1st year graduate students. The goal is to help guide the peer mentees through a healthy first year in our department, with an emphasis on becoming a contributing member of the department and navigating grad life. Mentors and mentees are provided with mentorship training, recommendations on meeting frequency and length (setting boundaries), conversation guidelines, and resources on being an effective mentee/mentor based on the UCI Mentoring Excellence Program (https://grad.uci.edu/academics/mentoring.php).
Learn More HereFire Up Fridays
Fire Up Fridays are monthly workshops for our incoming graduate students ran by more senior graduate students. These workshops provide a regular space and programming that is specifically in the interest of supporting and developing graduate students. This includes both structured and unstructured activities that will foster community and resilience in our graduate population. Our content for this program is influenced heavily by core curricula created by the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (https://www.facultydiversity.org/), the UCI Mentoring Excellence Program (https://grad.uci.edu/academics/mentoring.php) and our previous experiences as beginning graduate students.
Learn More HereAttitude Thrusters
Attitude Thrusters are workshops that are held roughly once or twice per quarter and cover topics that are relevant to grads at all levels (e.g. research, fellowship/proposal writing, conferences). Attitude Thrusters are open to graduate students at all levels and postdocs in the department. Coming soon: a grad to grad (past first year) peer mentorship component!
Learn More Here