Developing an Indigenous Mentoring Program for faculty mentoring American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in STEM: a qualitative study. Issue 5 (20th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Windchief, Sweeney; Arouca, Raquel; Brown, Blakely
• Is Part Of: Mentoring & tutoring. Volume 26:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 503
• Page End: 523
• Publication Date: 2018-10-20
• Subjects: Mentoring -- American Indian and Alaska Native -- Indigenous -- Graduate Students -- STEM Fields; Mentoring in education -- Periodicals; Tutors and tutoring -- Periodicals; 371.1460941
• DOI: 10.1080/13611267.2018.1561001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1361-1267

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In order to increase graduation rates of American Indian and Alaska Native doctoral candidates in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, a culturally attuned mentorship program needs to be developed. In our study, we used a conversational method of Indigenous research that privileges relationships and lived experiences to inform such a program. Data was collected in semi-structured interviews using a conversational guide and initial themes were deliberated and refined into a coding framework that was subsequently applied to the data. The themes that emerged from the research included relationality, cultural humility, Indigenous worldviews, suggestions for activities, and resources/support. These themes established the framework for an Indigenous mentoring program (IMP) for faculty mentors of American Indian/Alaska Native graduate students in STEM at four, 4-year institutions and a tribal college.