Student-Run Support Organizations for Underrepresented Graduate Students: Goals, Creation, Implementation, and Assessment

Abstract

Despite the trend toward increased enrollment of minority graduate students in universities, low retention and graduation rates continue to be a problem. Many universities operate at status quo, without making efforts to accommodate to the needs of minority students to help them continue their studies and finish graduate degrees. Rather than making an effort to help students become part of the culture, these universities expect the student to change to fit the institutional academic environment. This article describes the development, implementation, and assessment of the Graduate Mentorship Program (GMP) in the School of Education at the University of California-Berkeley, which addresses this critical issue and provides a support system for students who come from varied backgrounds. In the article, we discuss the unique structure of the organization and the principles and implementation mechanisms by which GMP functions. Finally, we provide an assessment of the program and the challenges it has faced throughout its life span.