Grad LEAP: Mentoring Program for Graduate Students

If you are a Lerner graduate student, please join the Lerner Executive Mentoring Program.

Grad LEAP is intended to:

• Prepare graduate students to meet a range of challenges by providing them with personalized support from mentors who can share invaluable insights from their own academic and professional experiences.
• Provide graduate students with a structured means of initiating and maintaining a professional relationship through personalized one-on-one advice and support.
• Expand the support network for graduate students so they are well-equipped to reach their academic, personal and professional goals.
• Help graduate students cultivate meaningful conversations with their mentors and others in their professional network.

How it works: 

• Students and volunteer mentors complete a registration form to share their career interests and goals.

• Students participate in the required mentee orientation. 

• The match is based on preferences provided in the registration form.

• After the mentor-mentee pair is established, the mentor and mentee work together to decide when and how they prefer to connect, which can happen via email, phone, video chat, text or in person. We recommend that the mentor and mentee get in touch with each other at least once a month.

Mentee Testimonials

“I participated last academic year and I was assigned an incredible mentor who I continue to meet with even after the program ended. My mentor provided me with introductions to key collaborative partners for my dissertation research as well as advice on professional development, personal challenges, and how to foster opportunities for myself. I also tested dissertation ideas with her during our conversations and she furthered my thinking which helped me develop a more robust proposal. I have also learned from her own community service and current work. I encourage you to take advantage of this program regardless of where you are in your studies.”
- Ph.D. student from the College of Education and Human Development

“[My mentor] has provided me with feedback on my cover letter and resume, which was pretty helpful and constructive. He also talked about the importance of talking with other people, and how I should be confident in myself.”
- Ph.D. student from the College of Engineering

“[My mentor] has identified a range of internal courses (at the University of Delaware) and external courses that will enhance my skill set and, ultimately, boost my career prospects in the planning world. He's been very helpful! He's recommended several contacts to me to broaden my network and engage with other dimensions of planning to potentially bring forth research opportunities and work experience”
- Ph.D. student from the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration

Mentor Testimonials

“This mentoring relationship makes me feel much more connected to the University of Delaware. In particular, it makes me feel useful and helpful, which is really nice”
- Ph.D. alumnus from the College of Engineering

“I was able to talk [my mentee] through a day on the job as a PI in the industry from the point of view of an Engineer and a Chemist. I talked about my experience when I was at the stage that she is and the resources I had at my disposal. I talked about some concerns I had and what I learned. She seems to be very appreciative to hear my perspective.”
- Ph.D. alumnus from the College of Engineering

Frequently Asked Questions