Graduate mentoring program rolls out new series aimed at connecting students and faculty

The Graduate Community Mentoring (GCM) program is continuing to build collective relationships for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Mentorship Conversations & Stories Series is a community-focused approach designed to connect graduate students and faculty through meaningful conversations, storytelling, and mentorship.

The opening session, titled Navigating the Unwritten Rules of Academia & Planning for a Year of Well-Being, will be held Friday, Sept. 26 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Student Union Building, room Acoma A & B. It will be hosted by Karen J. Leong Ph.D., an associate professor of the history department and Myla Vicenti Carpio, Ph.D., an associate professor and Graduate Faculty Director of Native American Studies. Leola Tsinnajinnie Paquin, Ph.D., a Graduate Studies Faculty Fellow for Student Success, will co-host it. Lunch will be provided at this event.

Remaining sessions will be Oct. 24, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Topics focus on graduate student success through the lived experiences of faculty members.

"Even with the new GCM format just getting started, we've already seen a huge increase in student interest-almost double what we expected," said Allison Shaddox, coordinator of student and graduate services for Graduate Studies. "I think with how stressful things have been for students lately, this program gives them a much-needed break and a chance to connect with peers and faculty who really support them."

Originally named the Faculty Mentoring Program, GCM began in the summer of 2021 as a collaboration between Graduate Studies and the Project for New Mexico Graduates of Color (PNMGC). It paired faculty mentors with graduate student pods from outside their departments, combining faculty and peer mentoring. After hiring a coordinator and recruiting seven faculty of color, the program launched in Spring 2022 with 23 students, monthly meetings, workshops, and an end-of-year networking event.

GCM supports graduate students and faculty in building strong mentoring relationships, navigating academia, and fostering professional growth. Each semester, in collaboration with faculty across campus, GCM will host a series of story-centered mentorship conversations to highlight real experiences, lessons learned, and strategies for success.

While all graduate students are welcome to attend the sessions, priority will be given to those who commit to attending at least three of the four sessions as GCM student fellows. Due to incredible responses, all fellowship spots have been filled. If you are a graduate student and did not get an opportunity to sign up to be a fellow, please contact Allison at [email protected] to join the waitlist or to sign up to attend a session as a guest.

Faculty interested in contributing to the mentoring community can contact Leola Tsinnajinnie Paquin at [email protected] to host a session in the fall or spring. Honorariums will be provided, and while there are suggested topics, all ideas for meaningful conversations for current graduate students are welcome.