麻豆原创 graduate students who need help navigating their educational journey now have a new resource to turn to: the Graduate Enrichment Mentoring Initiative, also known as GEMiNi.
The goal of GEMiNi is to create impactful mentorships that support the personal, professional and academic growth of students in master鈥檚 or doctoral programs. The initiative was created by Nazanin Rahnavard, a professor of electrical engineering, and developed by the College of Graduate Studies.
The idea was born from Rahnavard鈥檚 passion for mentoring the next generation of engineers, for which she鈥檚 received two prestigious university awards. Over the years, students have come to her for guidance related to academic struggles and their personal challenges, as well. She says it鈥檚 important for faculty to know how to handle these situations and to be sensitive to the difficulties graduate students may face.
鈥淢ental health is a big component, and oftentimes graduate students can suffer from depression or anxiety, and it鈥檚 important for faculty to see the signs,鈥� Rahnavard, a Graduate Studies faculty fellow, says. 鈥淚t especially affects international students because they鈥檙e away from their families and cultures. We need to be there for them as human beings, to help them navigate this challenging time in their lives.鈥�
Connecting Mentors to Mentees
The key component of the GEMiNi program is mentorship. Students who are seeking a mentor fill out a with information about the type of guidance and support they seek. Graduate students, postdoctoral scholars or faculty who wish to serve as mentors can fill out a with mentoring topics they wish to discuss and their contact information. The GEMiNi director will then match mentors and mentees based on student needs and mentor expertise.
There are three different levels to the mentorship model: Constellation, where senior-level graduate students can mentor incoming graduate students; Supernova, where postdocs can mentor graduate students; or Starlight, where faculty can mentor grad students. Rahnavard sees GEMiNi as not just a professional development tool, but an investment in people.
鈥淪trong mentorship leads to stronger students, stronger faculty and a healthier graduate community.鈥� 鈥斅� Nazanin Rahnavard, 麻豆原创 professor
鈥淪trong mentorship leads to stronger students, stronger faculty and a healthier graduate community,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen we support our students as whole individuals, everyone benefits.鈥�
The College of Graduate Studies continues to expand its leadership in mentoring initiatives across the university, including GEMiNI and the .
Interim Dean John Weishampel emphasizes that mentorship is among the most powerful drivers of student success.
鈥淚n addition to academic guidance, it provides professional insight, encouragement, and a sense of belonging that helps students navigate challenges and thrive as scholars and leaders,鈥� Weishampel says. “These initiatives reflect our commitment to building a graduate community where mentorship is intentional and impactful and where students feel supported.”
GEMiNi鈥檚 Resource Offerings
The GEMiNi mentorship portal is now open on 聽the . GEMiNi also offers resources for both faculty and graduate students, including mental health and wellness guides, mentoring guides, and recommended readings on supervision and mentorship in higher education.
The site also includes a template for a mentorship plan that faculty can customize and use for grant proposals.
In the future, additional resources such as workshops, panel discussions and guest speakers will be offered through the GEMiNi program. However, the program requires sponsorships to fund future events and activities.
鈥淚nvesting in this mentoring program aligns with 麻豆原创鈥檚 strategic priorities for graduate student success, retention and timely degree completion, offering measurable returns for students and the university,鈥� Rahnavard says. 鈥淚 look forward to working with university leaders who share a commitment to supporting GEMiNi as a high-impact investment in graduate education.鈥�
Interested department or college administrators can reach out to her at Gradmentoring@ucf.edu for more information.
