Schedule for the National Mentoring Community-Bridge Symposium

*Schedule subject to change

START END AUDIENCE TOPIC SPEAKER SESSION DESCRIPTION
8:00 AM 9:00 AM ALL Check-in, Breakfast & Networking/Connection Time
9:00 AM 9:30 AM ALL Welcome NMC/Bridge Staff
TALK 1
9:30 AM 11:00 AM
All Students Taking Care of Yourself: Surviving and Thriving in Physics as a Student Rachel Younger, LMSW Physics degree programs are demanding and can take a toll on students academically, emotionally, and mentally. This presentation explores the unique challenges physics students face, from imposter syndrome and burnout to the pressures of research and academia. We will discuss practical strategies for managing stress and building resilience, through establishing a supportive environment that fosters both personal well-being and academic success.
Faculty/Mentors Staying Committed to Student Success: Navigating a Shifting DEI Landscape Steve Desir, EdD Bridge programs and academic success initiatives play a critical role in higher education by improving retention, closing equity gaps, and fostering a sense of belonging, particularly for racially minoritized, LGBTQ+, first-generation, and low-income students. This session provides an opportunity to identify challenges, share effective approaches, and create action plans that align bridge and mentoring programs with institutional goals.
Faculty/Mentors Optimizing Inclusive Mentorship Practices Kelly A Diggs, PhD Inclusive mentorship is critical in academia, business, and government, yet often learned through trial and error. This seminar provides a framework to optimize culturally responsive mentorship practices, ensuring effective mentoring for students from diverse backgrounds. Participants will gain confidence in mentoring, access resources, and develop new strategies to improve inclusivity in mentorship.
11:00 AM 12:15 PM ALL LUNCH! -- Graduate Panel Learn more about the graduate school experience from Bridge alumni and NMC Mentees.
12:15 PM 12:30 PM ALL Break/Group Picture
TALK 2
12:30 PM 2:00 PM
Grad students STEM Identity Session TBA TBA
UG Students Leveraging Opportunities in Mentorship Simone Hyater-Adams, PhD This interactive session will guide participants through a process of framing mentorship experiences in a way that informs their personal goals. We will overview three common forms of mentorship, share experiences we have with them, and do a guided reflection in order to understand our own mentoring strengths and needs. Participants will leave the session with a plan for leveraging one mentorship opportunity towards an articulated goal.
Faculty/Mentors Career Mentoring Workshop for Mentors and Faculty Midhat Farooq, PhD In this session, participants will learn about career paths and employment statistics for physics degree holders and explore various career development resources. Mentors will reflect on their mentee's career advancement needs with a specific emphasis on the student's values, likes/dislikes, and skills. Participants will also learn about effective strategies for helping their mentees with job search, networking, resume writing, and interviewing. The session will involve active discussion and participation with plenty of time for participants to ask questions.

Note: Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop or tablet to access online resources during the workshop.
Faculty/Mentors Providing Support While Practicing Self-Care: Mental Health Awareness for the Faculty/Mentor Rachel Younger, LMSW Mentors play a critical role in supporting the mental health and well-being of their mentees, especially in high-pressure academic environments. This presentation explores mental health basics, identifying signs of distress, and fostering a culturally sensitive and supportive mentor-mentee relationship. Through active listening, empathy, and encouraging help-seeking behaviors, mentors can create a space where mentees feel valued and supported. The session also emphasizes the importance of mentor self-care, ensuring they have the tools to sustain their own well-being while guiding others.
2:00 PM 2:15 PM BREAK
TALK 3
2:15 PM 3:45 PM
GRAD Students Leveraging Opportunities in Mentorship Simone Hyater-Adams, PhD This interactive session will guide participants through a process of framing mentorship experiences in a way that informs their personal goals. We will overview three common forms of mentorship, share experiences we have with them, and do a guided reflection in order to understand our own mentoring strengths and needs. Participants will leave the session with a plan for leveraging one mentorship opportunity towards an articulated goal.
UG Students STEM Identity Session TBA TBA
Faculty/Mentors Optimizing Inclusive Mentorship Practices Kelly A Diggs, PhD Inclusive mentorship is a critical aspect of both personal and professional advancement in academics, government, and business, yet this skill is often learned and perfected only through trial and error. To address this need, this seminar provides an intellectual framework to accelerate the acquisition of mentoring insights to optimize culturally responsive mentorship practices. Specifically, stakeholders will engage with evidence-based approaches to broaden participation of culturally diverse groups in the various sectors of the US workforce, with particular emphasis on science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical (STEMM) fields.
Faculty/Mentors Providing Support While Practicing Self-Care: Mental Health Awareness for the Faculty/Mentor Rachel Younger, LMSW Mentors play a critical role in supporting the mental health and well-being of their mentees, especially in high-pressure academic environments. This presentation explores mental health basics, identifying signs of distress, and fostering a culturally sensitive and supportive mentor-mentee relationship. The session also emphasizes the importance of mentor self-care, ensuring they have the tools to sustain their own well-being while guiding others.
3:45 PM 4:00 PM ALL Closing
4:00 PM 5:30 PM ALL Connection Reception Finish the day by enjoying refreshments and connecting with Symposium attendees. APS Career Mentoring Fellows will be available to review student resumes during the reception.