What does mentorship mean to you?  Who has had an influence on your life?  

Mentorship, a collaborative learning relationship and working alliance, is a key factor in graduate student success. In the Mindfulness Based Graduate Mentorship Program (MBGMP), graduate students gather together in peer community to inquire into questions around the qualities of effective mentorship, what functional relationships look like, and how to get support from mentors. Mindfulness, reflection and inquiry are used throughout this process as tools to delve into how the graduate school experience can be more fulfilling, more purposeful and less stressful. Through a process of exploration and reflection, the program facilitates graduate students in finding and listening to their own voices about what matters and builds peer community with others who understand the graduate experience.

Upcoming Program Dates and Application

Applications will open for the Fall 2025 program in August of 2025. 

The program is limited to a maximum of 15 participants.  Meeting times and dates will be determined depending upon participant availablility and scheduled once registration closes.

For questions or for further information, please feel free to reach out to Jen Brown at jennifer.brown@montana.edu

PROGRAM COMMITMENTS

1.  A 10 min. daily mindfulness practice is encouraged. Mindfulness is the act of paying attention to your present moment experience with non-judgment and curiosity.  Mindfulness practices include activities like breathe awareness, walking meditation, body scans and compassion practices.

2.  The community will meet weekly through the Fall semester. In the program's weekly workshops, you will learn different types of mindfulness and relational mindfulness practices and participate in group discussions and personal reflections around mentorship.  There may be some homework between workshops (< 1 hour per month).  Workshops will be ~90 minute duration.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  • A personalized mentor network map and mentorship action plan
  • A collective definition of mentorship and a personal mentoring philosophy 
  • A peer support community
  • Strengthening of relational skills valuable for developing functional and mindful mentoring relationships
  • Free food at least twice

INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT

In the Spring semester following the program, participants will have the opportunity for individualized one-on-one support through monthly coaching sessions.  

Previous Participants Say

“…the program has helped me reflect on my current life as a graduate student and how I can find meaning and structure in each day, as well has how I can look for support to accomplish my goals.”.

“I loved everything about this program. It happened to come to me during a very difficult time in my life but the skills I have gained here about managing life's challenges and working through them peacefully are going to be with me for the rest of my life.”

“In this group I have learned to take a more holistic approach to my work and relationships which will be helpful in grad school and beyond.”

"Building an understanding of what mentorship is and could look like allows me to feel more confident advocating for what I need..."

"I have taken many of the thoughts and ideas that have come up in our discussions and have applied them to my own mentoring relationships. I have noticed that there already have been improvements and that my mindset about those relationships have changed for the better."

"[The best or most helpful part of the program was]...the mindfulness practice. And approaching topics which are rarely approached in an open and compassionate space. This program was able to shift many of my perspectives in positive directions.” 

“…I like that the program was formatted as essentially a collection of tools which I can use any or none of at my discretion. It makes me feel so empowered to take on life's challenges and much less scared for crazy life events to come my way. I can't say enough what a positive impact this has all had on me…”

“I love all of these [practices]! Thought they were so helpful and eye opening.”