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APSA Mentoring Program

We welcome applications from mentors year-round.
Spring enrollment for mentees is now closed. 

Be a Mentor Find a Mentor


APSA May Mentor Spotlights

 

"[Dr. Mia Bloom] has truly gone above and beyond the call of duty in numerous ways: identifying opportunities for me to apply to or look into, suggesting contacts of her own that may be relevant to my work, and checking in on my progress on a regular basis. I share this... in the hopes of highlighting the value of this program, as a whole, but more specifically, underlining the value - and need - for attentive, invested, caring mentors like Mia." Read more about Dr. Bloom here.

 

 

"Dr. James McHugh has been a wonderful APSA mentor, providing me with invaluable advice on pursuing a career in academia." Read more about Dr. McHugh here.

"Dr. Liza Mugge helped me identify strengths & weaknesses of my CV." Read more about Dr. Mugge here.

 

January is National Mentor Month: Read the 2016 presidential proclamation

Background of the APSA Mentor Program

The APSA Council established the Task Force on Mentoring in 2002 to address issues of recruitment, retention, and integration of women and people of color in the profession—especially younger political scientists, both graduate students and younger faculty. A major goal of the task force—which was comprised of members of the women's caucus and APSA status committees—was to create a mentoring program that could also provide general professional advice and support that is the heart of mentoring for all political scientists. As a result the APSA Mentoring Program was created in 2003 and connects undergraduate, graduate students, and junior faculty from all backgrounds to experienced and senior members of the profession for professional development support on academic and career topics. Read the first article, by Task Force chair Kristen Monroe, published by the task force in PS

Currently, the APSA Mentor Program accepts applications from mentees twice a year, once at the beginning of the fall semester and once at the beginning of the spring semester. Mentees are matched with volunteer APSA Mentors who are senior and advanced scholars and practitioners in the discipline. Short term and long term matches are available. Mentor matches are dependent upon availability of mentors. 

If you have any questions about the program, please contact mentoring@apsanet.org. 

 

This Year is the 20th Anniversary!

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Mentoring Program- Become a Mentor!

In honor the APSA Mentoring Program’s 20th Anniversary, APSA invites you to serve as a mentor! We welcome mentors at all career levels and across all political science subfields. Submit or update your mentor profile to be matched with a mentee for Spring 2024. If you have any questions about the program, please contact us at mentoring@apsanet.org.

 

The Matching Process

APSA accepts mentor requests for professional advice and for short-term (one semester) and long-term (one academic year) mentoring. Given your stated preferences and mentor question(s), we do our best to find a suitable mentor match. Matched mentors and mentees are encouraged to continue the relationship beyond the official APSA mentoring period if they find it mutually beneficial.

APSA staff makes mentor matches twice a year: once at the beginning of the fall semester (for short term and long term matches) and once at the beginning of the spring semester (for short term matches).

Matched mentees and mentors must agree to engage in the mentoring process in a professional and courteous fashion. Please respond to emails or phone calls in a timely fashion in order to move the mentoring process along in a productive manner. Mentors and mentees should discuss communication and time commitment expectations prior to engaging in the mentoring process.

APSA staff provide a mentor-mentee orientation at the beginning of each semester. This is an expected component of the APSA mentoring program.

 

APSA Mentoring Enrollment for Mentors and Mentees

If you are ready to be a mentor or request a mentor, click below to access the forms.

Note: APSA has updated our mentoring system, and will only make short term matches in the spring semester.

 

Resources for Mentors and Mentees

Find resources on remote mentoring, culturally aware mentorship, mentoring guides for students and more here.

  

Adaljiza Sosa-Riddell Mentoring Awards

The APSA Committee on the Status of Latinos y Latinas in the Profession recognizes outstanding mentoring each year. In 2023 the committee recognized the following individuals:

These four recipients will receive a non-monetary certificate and will be recognized at the annual meeting Joint Status Committee reception. Read more about the award.