EMPOWERS: Elevating Mentoring Practices for Optimal Work-life balance in Education and Research in STEM Graduate Studies

EMPOWERS (Evaluating Mentoring Practices for Optimal Work-life balance in Education and Research in STEM graduate studies) was developed to respond to the emerging crisis in graduate education, which is a result of ineffective mentoring, high levels of distress in graduate students, a lack of inclusion, and a lack of career and professional development.

The EMPOWERS program is an innovative, four-year, multi-dimensional approach that aims to enhance the holistic mentoring environment for faculty and graduate students. This project will address these issues through two innovative and distinct goals:

1. Promote holistic mentorship, which will include mentorship training, mental health and wellness, inclusion, and career and professional development; and
2. Affect systemic change at the department, college, and University levels through capacity building and policy development related to holistic mentoring.

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