Cross-cultural academic mentoring dyads: a case study

ABSTRACT

Mentoring and diversity are disparate elements of interest within universities. We used a descriptive case study to provide an understanding of the interaction between diversity and the academic mentoring process. The conceptual framework is two-fold: (a) that mentoring relationships progressed through four phases: Initiation, Cultivation, Separation and Redefinition; and (b) that mentors play four roles: Advisor, Instructor, Employer, and Agent of Socialization. Interviews with a cross-cultural mentoring dyad consisting of a graduate student and her mentor revealed that the dyad had experienced the first two of the mentoring phases (Initiation and Cultivation) in their entirety, with elements of the second two phases (Separation and Redefinition) becoming apparent; and that the mentor had fulfilled all of the faculty roles. We identified how the four phases of mentoring relationships and the four faculty roles adopted within such relationships work in tandem across three broad stages of relational development.

KEYWORDS:

• Faculty mentors
• graduate student
• mentoring
• advising
• diversity in higher education
• cross-cultural mentoring

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amber Daniel

Amber Daniel is currently pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Studies at the Wright State University main campus in Dayton, Ohio. She is interested in exploring the impact of diversity in educational interactions. Amber is also an Adjunct Professor of Business Communication at the Wright State University Lake Campus.

Suzanne Franco

Dr. Suzanne Franco is a Professor of Research and Statistics in the Leadership Studies in Education and Organizations department within the College of Education and Human Services at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Franco has taught research and statistics to graduate students in multiple programs.

Noah L. Schroeder

Noah L. Schroeder is an Associate Professor of Educational Technology and Instructional Design at Wright State University. His research focuses on the design of technology based learning environments.

Ada T. Cenkci

Dr. Ada T. Cenkci is an Assistant Professor of Organizational Leadership at Northern Kentucky University. Her research areas of interest include work engagement, employee inclusiveness, and cross-cultural leadership.