An Anti-Deficit Approach to Mentoring
Utilizing an anti-deficit approach to support mentees involves reframing conversations to focus on mentees’ strengths, potential, and assets rather than solely emphasizing their perceived deficits or challenges. By adopting an anti-deficit approach, you can create a supportive and empowering environment that helps National Mentoring Community (NMC) mentees navigate challenges while focusing on their strengths and potential for success.
Please review the following tips for effectively discussing challenges NMC mentees may face while adopting an anti-deficit approach and familiarize yourself with Whose culture has capital? A critical race theory discussion of community cultural wealth.
Emphasize resilience & coping strategies
Highlight how students have demonstrated resilience and developed effective coping strategies in the face of challenges. Acknowledge their ability to navigate adversity and build upon these strengths.
Acknowledge cultural wealth
Recognize and value the unique cultural experiences and knowledge that underrepresented students bring to their academic pursuits. Emphasize the strengths and assets inherent in their diverse backgrounds.
Foster a growth mindset
Encourage students to embrace a growth mindset, emphasizing that challenges are opportunities for growth and learning. Help them see setbacks as temporary and solvable through effort and support.
A growth mindset allows individuals to see themselves as capable of developing new qualities and behaviors through effort and practice, an important perspective for any scientist and particularly relevant to the advancement of a mentor-mentee relationship.
Learn more about growth mindset
Fixed versus growth mindset
This article from Inside Higher Ed explains the growth mindset and its relevance to graduate students.
Read "Fixed vs Growth Mindset" from Inside Higher Ed
Teach mentees about growth mindset
Watch this talk from Carol Dweck, psychology professor at Stanford University and developer of the growth mindset concept, in which she discusses the importance of a growth mindset for graduate students.
View Carol Dweck's discussion
Self-efficacy and why believing in yourself matters
Related to the growth mindset, self-efficacy encompasses a person's self-confidence and belief in their ability to control their behavior, influence their environment, and remain motivated to attain goals.
Read the Very Well Mind article on self-efficacy
Celebrate achievements & progress
Regularly acknowledge and celebrate the students' achievements, no matter how small, and highlight the progress they have made over time. This reinforces a positive narrative of their academic journey.
Provide culturally relevant support
Offer resources and support that align with students' cultural backgrounds, values, and needs. Recognize that different students may require different types of support.
Highlight role models & success stories
Share stories of individuals from similar backgrounds who have successfully overcome challenges and achieved their goals in the field of physics or other related fields. This can inspire and motivate students.
Create inclusive spaces
Foster an inclusive and welcoming environment where students feel comfortable discussing their challenges without fear of judgment. Encourage open dialogue and active listening.
Engage in collaborative problem-solving
Approach challenges as collaborative problem-solving opportunities. Work together with students to identify potential solutions and strategies, taking into consideration their perspectives and preferences.
Promote self-advocacy
Empower students to advocate for themselves by providing guidance on how to communicate their needs, seek help, and access available resources.
Strength-based feedback
When providing feedback, focus on specific strengths and improvements rather than solely pointing out deficiencies. Frame feedback in a constructive and supportive manner.
Cultivate a sense of belonging
Help students feel a sense of belonging within the physics community by facilitating connections with peers, mentors, and role models who share similar backgrounds.
Set realistic expectations
Encourage realistic goal-setting and time management while recognizing that progress may take time. Provide guidance on breaking down larger goals into manageable steps.
Cultivate a positive identity
Encourage students to develop a positive identity as physics learners, researchers, and future professionals. Highlight their potential contributions to the field.
Continuous check-ins
Maintain regular communication with students to assess their progress, offer support, and ensure they feel valued and heard.
More mentor resources
View all mentor resources
Review APS's mentor resource library for NMC mentors.
Download the mentor guidelines document
Save a summary of APS's mentor guidelines and advice.
APS career resources
APS provides guidance and information for physicists at every stage of their education and careers.