Mentorship of Current Presidential Fellows

Mentoring Current Presidential Fellows

Mentorship is an opportunity for alumni to stay connected to the Presidential Fellowship community while supporting a current Fellow through their academic, professional, and personal development.

Mentors bring something unique to the relationship: their own experience. You do not need to have all the answers. Your role is to listen, ask thoughtful questions, share your perspective, and help your mentee navigate their own path.

*Interested in mentoring a current Presidential Fellow? Email us at pafgwu [dot] edu.

Mentoring Across Difference

Your mentee may have experiences, identities, or perspectives that differ from your own. You do not need to share the same background to be a meaningful mentor.

Effective mentoring across difference starts with curiosity and humility:

• Don't assume. Your experience may not be your mentee's experience.
• Listen before advising. Let your mentee tell you what they need rather than assuming what would be helpful.
• Reflect on your own perspective. Consider how your identities, experiences, and assumptions shape the advice you give.
• Ask, don't presume. If you don't understand an experience, it's okay to respectfully ask, or recognize that your mentee may not want to explain it.
• Be open to feedback. If your mentee tells you that something isn't working for them, listen and adjust.
• Recognize power dynamics. As an alum, you may have professional or institutional knowledge that your mentee does not yet have. Use that position to support their agency, not to make decisions for them.

The goal is not to become an expert in someone else's identity or experience. It is to create a relationship where your mentee feels respected, heard, and supported. Research on mentoring across differences suggests that self-awareness, cultural humility, open communication, and attention to power can strengthen these relationships.

The most important thing to remember: You don't have to be perfect to be a good mentor.

Be present. Listen. Share what you've learned. Ask questions. Be willing to learn from your mentee, too.

The goal is not to tell a Fellow what path to take. It is to help them feel more confident navigating their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have a specific area of expertise?

No. Mentors do not need to be experts in their mentee's academic field or career interests. Your experience navigating graduate school, professional development, or life after PFL can be valuable in itself.

What is the time commitment?

We recommend that mentors and mentees:

• Connect approximately once a month
• Communicate through Zoom, phone, text, email, or another mutually convenient format
• Share success stories and offer support through obstacles
• Stay connected past the Fellow’s graduation from GW

The frequency and format can be adjusted based on what works for both of you.

How can I support my mentee?

Mentors can:

• Share your experience: Talk honestly about your academic, professional, and leadership journey.
• Listen and ask questions: Help your mentee think through decisions rather than simply telling them what to do.
• Offer feedback: Review professional materials or provide perspective when appropriate.
• Share resources: Recommend opportunities, organizations, or other resources.
• Make connections: Introduce your mentee to people in your network.
• Encourage and celebrate: Support your mentee through challenges and celebrate their accomplishments.

What if my mentee and I have very different backgrounds?

That's okay - and it can be an opportunity for meaningful learning. You are not expected to understand every aspect of your mentee's experience. Approach differences with curiosity, listen to your mentee's perspective, and avoid making assumptions about what they need.

What if I don't know how to answer a question?

You don't have to have the answer. Be honest, think through the question together, or help your mentee identify someone or another resource that may be better equipped to help.

What if my mentee needs more support than I can provide?

It is completely appropriate to establish boundaries and connect your mentee with another resource. Mentors are not expected to provide academic advising, counseling, or professional supervision.

Does every meeting need to have an agenda?

Not at all. Some of the most valuable mentorship happens through informal conversation. You might discuss a recent experience, catch up on life at GW, or simply talk about what's happening in your respective careers.