Mentoring
Mentorship is essential to research and graduate education, supporting scholars’ intellectual growth, professional development, and sense of belonging. Strong mentoring relationships help graduate students navigate research, teaching, and career pathways while promoting inclusive, ethical, and productive academic environments. This page highlights resources to support effective and sustainable mentoring practices. The Office for Research and Graduate Education is also happy to offer consultation regarding specific situations you may be facing with your mentees or mentors. For inquiries, please reach out to the CFAES Graduate Education Program Manager, Kayla Kruse.
Professional Roles and Responsibilities
To support a successful and equitable graduate experience, the college has developed two companion documents that define roles and responsibilities for graduate students and faculty. These guidelines establish shared expectations, reinforce professional norms, and encourage open communication within the mentoring relationship.
Nominate an Outstanding Mentor
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Graduate Faculty Mentorship Award
This award is managed by The Ohio State University Graduate School to recognize graduate faculty members who are exceptional mentors to Master's, Doctoral, or Professional graduate students. Each year three tenure-track/tenured faculty members are chosen for their outstanding mentorship. Winners will be selected by the Graduate School and awarded $1000 each and a certificate in recognition of their dedication and commitment to mentoring graduate/professional students.
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CFAES Distinguished Graduate Student Mentor Award
Each year the college accepts nominations for the Distinguished Graduate Student Mentor Award. Nominees can be any CFAES faculty members who advise graduate students. This award is open at any rank: Assistant, Associate or Full Professor, but the nominee must have a history of successfully mentoring graduate students. The award will consist of a plaque and $1,000 cash prize to the awardee.
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Faculty-to-Faculty Mentorship Award
Managed by the Office of Academic Affairs, this award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate exceptional mentorship of peers across tenure-track, clinical, or research roles. The award honors non-administrative contributions that support professional, scholarly, and leadership growth—such as teaching, research guidance, collaboration, and sponsorship—by faculty who go beyond traditional expectations.
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Postdoc Faculty Mentor of the Year Award
The OSU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs annually awards the Faculty Mentor of the Year Award to a faculty member who has engaged in exceptional mentoring of postdoctoral scholars.
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Postdoctoral Scholar Mentor of the Year Award
The OSU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs annually awards the Postdoctoral Scholar Mentor of the Year Award to a postdoctoral scholar who has demonstrated outstanding mentorship to junior trainees (high school, undergraduate, or graduate students) through leadership and support.