Mentoring

Mentoring is an important aspect of the Presidential Fellowship program. Various relationships provide support and help to shape each fellow’s professional experience.

Preceptor

A preceptor is a supervisor, professional mentor, and coach. Their role is to challenge and provide guidance for professional development on a personal level. The preceptor relationship is a great resource for the responsibilities associated with the fellow’s position and also provides opportunities that other employees and graduate fellows may not experience.

Peer Mentor

Graduate school, the expectations of a placement, and other fellow responsibilities require preparation to successfully adjust to the changes. Support from a peer mentor and a team of advisors makes the process a lot smoother. Incoming fellows for Fall 2024 will be paired with a PAF alumni mentor to facilitate the transition to life as a fellow. Beginning in Fall 2025, second year fellows will serve as peer mentors to the incoming Presidential Fellowship class. 

Advisors

Another important supportive relationship each fellow benefits from is the team of voluntary Presidential Fellow advisors. The advisors bring years of experience to the table and are always looking for ways to make the fellows' experience more valuable and dynamic. Advisors work closely with the fellows and get to know them and their professional goals on a personal level, which often results in a strong bond and close-knit cohorts.

Presidential Fellow Alumni

The number of alumni fellows continues to grow as the Presidential Fellowship program welcomes new cohorts and sends graduating fellows into the professional world. This network offers an additional venue for building relationships and networks of mentors and professional advisors.