Intentional mentoring: maximizing the impact of underrepresented future scientists in the 21st century

Haysetta Shuler; Victor Cazares; Andrea Marshall; Edgar Garza-Lopez; Rainbo Hultman; Tam'ra-Kay Francis; Tiffany Rolle; Mariana X Byndloss; Chrystal A Starbird; Innes Hicsasmaz; Salma AshShareef; Kit Neikirk; Pamela E C Johnson; Zer Vue; Heather K Beasley; Aislinn Williams; Antentor Hinton

doi:10.1093/femspd/ftab038

Intentional mentoring: maximizing the impact of underrepresented future scientists in the 21st century

Pathog Dis. 2021 Jul 28;79(6):ftab038. doi: 10.1093/femspd/ftab038.

Authors

Haysetta Shuler¹, Victor Cazares², Andrea Marshall³, Edgar Garza-Lopez^{3

4}, Rainbo Hultman⁵, Tam'ra-Kay Francis⁶, Tiffany Rolle^{7

8}, Mariana X Byndloss⁹, Chrystal A Starbird¹⁰, Innes Hicsasmaz¹¹, Salma AshShareef¹¹, Kit Neikirk¹², Pamela E C Johnson¹³, Zer Vue³, Heather K Beasley³, Aislinn Williams¹⁴, Antentor Hinton^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, Winston- Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
² Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Williams College, Williamstown, MA, USA.
³ Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
⁴ Hinton and Garza Lopez Consulting Company, Iowa City, IA, USA.
⁵ Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
⁶ Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
⁷ National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
⁸ American Society for Human Genetics, Rockville, MD, USA.
⁹ Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
¹⁰ Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
¹¹ Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
¹² Department of Natural Sciences, The University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, HI, USA.
¹³ Charles George Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Asheville, NC, USA.
¹⁴ Department of Psychiatry, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.

Abstract

Mentoring is a developmental experience intended to increase the willingness to learn and establish credibility while building positive relationships through networking. In this commentary, we focus on intentional mentoring for underrepresented mentees, including individuals that belong to minority racial, ethnic and gender identity groups in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) fields. Intentional mentoring is the superpower action necessary for developing harmony and comprehending the purpose and value of the mentor/mentee relationship. Regardless of a mentor's career stage, we believe the strategies discussed may be used to create a supportive and constructive mentorship environment; thereby improving the retention rates of underrepresented mentees within the scientific community.

Keywords: awfulizing; intentional mentoring; mentor; mentoring; minority stress.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Communication*
Humans
Interprofessional Relations*
Mentoring*
Mentors*
Trust

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding