Challenges in the time of COVID: Mentoring Students and Colleagues

The abrupt transition to online teaching and remote work has created unprecedented and unique challenges for universities and has caused normal practices to be revised in how they are implemented.

The uncertainty of our present situation, the loss of normal support systems and the addition of new responsibilities have placed a tremendous strain on everyone – from department chairs, to faculty and students. This stress has increased for many since the killing of George Floyd and the ensuing social unrest and national conversations about systemic racism.

During turbulent and unsettled times such as these, mentoring is even more crucial than before, but is in danger of being neglected as other things can seem more urgent or pressing. This session will discuss how to adjust and maintain effective mentoring practices for students and faculty in our new reality.

For students, we will provide tips on how to keep them engaged and accountable now that they are working remotely and often living alone, and how to adjust orientation practices for incoming students.

For faculty, we will cover challenges for faculty with children and also highlight unique issues for those just starting their faculty careers during the COVID crisis. Overall, we will discuss our shared commitment to providing equal opportunity to all, more challenging but also more important during these times, and will provide suggestions on how to effect the systemic change that society is demanding of us.

Facilitator: Nancy Amato (University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign)
Panelists: Maria Gini (University of Minnesota)
Chad Jenkins (University of Michigan)
Ellen Zegura (Georgia Institute of Technology)