Biology Mentorship Program Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Biology Mentorship Program?
The Biology Mentorship Program offers students a chance to be mentored by an upperclassmen Biology/Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB) major.
This is an especially valuable opportunity for biology students and anyone else who is interested, including (but not limited to) prospective Biology/BCMB majors and introduction to biology students.
The goal of this program is to create a more diverse, inclusive, and supportive Biology/BCMB program for all students.
Mentors offer advice, guidance, and support relating to class scheduling, STEM tips, navigating Bryn Mawr, and more from their personal experience. It is very beneficial to have a non-faculty resource to answer your STEM and Bryn Mawr related questions!
Information for Prospective Mentorship Participants
- Who are mentors/how can I become a mentor?
- How can I participate as a mentee?
- What can I expect from my mentor?
- What are other resources to learn about a Biology and BCMB major?
Information for Current Mentors
Information for Prospective Mentorship Participants
Who are mentors/how can I become a mentor?
All junior and senior Biology and BCMB majors are welcome to participate as Biology Mentors! If you are interested in joining or have any questions about the program, please email the Biology Mentorship Co-Coordinators, Siena Martin (smartin3@brynmawr.edu) and Anne Meyer (ameyer@brynmawr.edu).
Mentors are not the same as peer tutors and are not responsible for course content (although it is possible to be both a mentor and a peer tutor)! Information about becoming or requesting a peer tutor can be found here.
How can I participate as a mentee?
Any introduction to biology student, anyone considering a Biology or BCMB major, or any student interested in becoming more involved in the STEM departments is welcome to participate as a Biology Mentee! Mentees are not responsible for preparing anything for meetings with their mentors. Simply show up and engage with your mentor! Mentees are encouraged to ask questions and share their interests, so meetings can be tailored to their goals.
If you are interested in joining or have any questions about the program, please email the Biology Mentorship Co-Coordinators, Siena Martin (smartin3@brynmawr.edu) and Anne Meyer (ameyer@brynmawr.edu).
What can I expect from my mentor?
Mentors are expected to meet with their mentees at least once a month. Mentors have access to a list of meeting topic suggestions that they can use for meetings, but mentees are strongly encouraged to ask questions or discuss topics that are interesting to them. There is no formal requirement of what needs to be discussed in meetings or how long they should be, but there should be regular contact between mentors and mentees throughout the semester.
Mentors are not the same as peer tutors and are not responsible for course content. Information about becoming or requesting a peer tutor can be found here.
What are other resources to learn about a Biology and BCMB major?
To learn more, feel free to access our resources: Biology Mentorship Program FAQs, Resources Guide, Biochemistry Major Webpage, and Biology Department Webpage. Faculty major advisors are also excellent resources!
Biology: Dr. Jennifer Skirkanich (jskirkanic@brynmawr.edu)
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Professor Lisa Watkins (lhwatkins@brynmawr.edu).
The program director, Professor Tamara Davis (tdavis@brynmawr.edu), may also be consulted for information.
Information for Current Mentors
Expectations and Guidelines
Mentors are expected to initiate contact with their assigned mentees and meet with them at least once a month. There will be one mentor training meeting at the beginning of each semester that all mentors should attend in addition to checkpoints throughout the semester. Checkpoints offer mentors the opportunity to update the Co-Coordinators on their progress and give feedback and suggestions to improve the program throughout the semester.
Mentors are not the same as peer tutors and are not responsible for course content (although, it is possible to be both a mentor and a peer tutor)! Information about becoming or requesting a peer tutor can be found here.
If mentors need guidance or advice, please reach out to the Co-Coordinators Anne (ameyer@brynmawr.edu) and Siena (smartin3@brynmawr.edu).
Purview
Mentors should share their experience as a Biology/BCMB major and Bryn Mawr student. They should also help mentees access other available resources, like the resource guide, major reps, or other students with relevant experience. Most importantly, mentors should help their mentees feel comfortable and welcome in the Biology department!
Mentors are not the same as peer tutors and are not responsible for course content (although, it is possible to be both a mentor and a peer tutor)! Information about becoming or requesting a peer tutor can be found here.
Mentors are here to support mentees, and if something (professional or personal) is beyond their capabilities, the best way they can support their mentees is to make sure they access the right resources. Mentors may direct mentees to other BMC departments/ resources such as the Health and Wellness Center, Dean’s Office, and Career & Civic Engagement Office.
Program Coordinators
The 2021-22 Biology Mentor Program Co-Coordinators are Anne Meyer (ameyer@brynmawr.edu) and Siena Martin (smartin3@brynmawr.edu). Any prospective or current participants are encouraged to reach out to either of them with questions, comments, or inquiries.
The Biology Mentor Program weekly office hours are held every Wednesday from 7:30-8:30 via Zoom. All current participants should have received the Zoom meeting link in their email, and any prospective students are encouraged to reach out to Anne or Siena to get the link.