Chemistry Mentorship Program

What is the Chemistry Mentorship Program?

The Chemistry Mentorship Program offers students a chance to be mentored by an upperclassmen Chemistry/Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB) major.

This is an especially valuable opportunity for general chemistry students and anyone else who is interested, including (but not limited to) prospective Chem/Bio/BCMB majors, non-first year general chemistry students, and pre-med students.

The goal of this program is to create a more diverse, inclusive, and supportive Chem/BCMB program for all students.

Mentors offer advice, guidance, and support relating to class scheduling, STEM tips, navigating Bryn Mawr, and more from their personal experience. It is very beneficial to have a non-faculty resource to answer your STEM and Bryn Mawr related questions!

Information for Prospective Mentorship Participants

Who are mentors/how can I become a mentor?
How can I participate as a mentee?
What can I expect from my mentor?
What are other resources to learn about a Chemistry and BCMB major?

Information for Prospective Mentorship Participants

Who are mentors/how can I become a mentor?

Any junior and senior Chemistry and BCMB majors are welcome to participate as Chemistry Mentors! If you are interested in joining or have any questions about the program, please email the Chemistry Mentorship Co-Coordinators, Dana Caldwell (dcaldwell@brynmawr.edu) and Rebecca Li (ryli@brynmawr.edu).

Mentors are not the same as peer tutors and are not responsible for course content (although, it is possible to be both a mentor and a peer tutor)! Information about becoming or requesting a peer tutor can be found here.

How can I participate as a mentee?

Any first-year general chemistry student, anyone considering a Chem/BCMB/Bio major, or any student interested in becoming more involved in the STEM departments is welcome to participate as a Chemistry Mentee! Any student who is not a first year and/or enrolled in general chemistry currently and is interested in participating in the program is also welcome. While the program is directed towards first-years, we encourage and welcome any interested sophomores to participate!

Mentees are not responsible for preparing anything for meetings with their mentors. Simply show up and engage with your mentor! Mentees are encouraged to ask questions and share their interests, so meetings can be tailored to their goals.

If you are interested in joining or have any questions about the program, please email the Chemistry Mentorship Co-Coordinators, Dana Caldwell (dcaldwell@brynmawr.edu) and Rebecca Li (ryli@brynmawr.edu).

What can I expect from my mentor?

Mentors are expected to meet with their mentees at least once a month. Mentors have access to a list of meeting topic suggestions that they can use for meetings, but mentees are strongly encouraged to ask questions or discuss topics that are interesting to them. There is no formal requirement of what needs to be discussed in meetings or how long they should be, but there should be regular contact between mentors and mentees throughout the semester.

Mentors are not the same as peer tutors and are not responsible for course content. Information about becoming or requesting a peer tutor can be found here.

What are other resources to learn about a Chemistry and BCMB major?

To learn more, feel free to access our resources: , , , Biochemistry Major Webpage, and Chemistry Department FAQs Webpage. Faculty major advisors are also excellent resources!

Chemistry: Professor Lisa Watkins (lhwatkins@brynmawr.edu) for Class of 2022-23 and Professor Ariana Hall (aohall@brynmawr.edu) for Classes of 2024-25.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Professor Lisa Watkins (lhwatkins@brynmawr.edu). The program director, Professor Tamara Davis (tdavis@brynmawr.edu), may also be consulted for information.

Information for Current Mentors

Expectations and Guidelines

Mentors are expected to initiate contact with their assigned mentees and meet with them (individually or as a group) at least once a month. There will be one mentor training meeting at the beginning of each semester that all mentors should attend, in addition to two “checkpoints” throughout the semester. Checkpoints offer mentors the opportunity to update the Co-Coordinators on their progress and give feedback and suggestions to improve the program throughout the semester.

If mentors need guidance or advice, please reach out to the Co-Coordinators Rebecca (ryli@brynmawr.edu) and Dana (dcaldwell@brynmawr.edu).

Purview

Mentors should share their experience as a Chem/BCMB major and Bryn Mawr student. They should also help mentees access other available resources, like the , major reps, or other students with relevant experience. Most importantly, mentors should help their mentees feel comfortable and welcome in the chemistry department!

Mentors are here to support mentees, and if something (professional or personal) is beyond their capabilities, the best way they can support their mentees is to make sure they access the right resources. Mentors may direct mentees to other BMC departments/ resources such as the Health Center, Dean’s Office, and Career and Civic Engagement Office.

Program Coordinators

The 2021-22 Chemistry Mentor Program Co-Coordinators are Rebecca Li (ryli@brynmawr.edu) and Dana Caldwell (dcaldwell@brynmawr.edu). Any prospective or current participants are encouraged to reach out to either of them with questions, comments, or inquiries.

The Chemistry Mentor Program weekly office hours are held every Thursday evening, 6-7 p.m., via Zoom. All current participants should have received the Zoom meeting link in their email, and any prospective students are encouraged to reach out to Rebecca or Dana to get the link.