Mentor Guidelines

Thank you for your willingness to be an EHI mentor! The Mellon-funded Engaged Humanities Initiative is meant to support undergraduate research in the humanities, with an emphasis on community engagement. We anticipate that this research will take many forms- ultimately, students should produce substantial written work (that could be used for applications to graduate school, should they pursue that route) as well as a public-facing aspect of their project, such as an exhibit, a podcast, creative work, a website, etc.

Please read below for more information on mentoring students in the EHI!

What are my obligations as a mentor?

  • meet with the student in the spring before the summer after their 2nd year to help define their summer activity (research, internship, study abroad) for which the EHI will pay them $3500. This can be independent research or help with your research project. The EHI will provide oversight over the summer, checking in with the students and collecting periodic research reports from them (which they'll also keep copies of to show you).
  • help them identify research questions to guide their summer activity
  • advise the student on 3rd year coursework that might be relevant to their research interests
  • do an independent study with the student during one semester of their third year, having them read essential works and/or identify essential questions in their research field (this can be in combination with coursework, either yours or someone else's)
  • help them figure out a project for the summer after their 3rd year that will either advance their research or take it in new directions/to new audiences/in new forms (they will also receive $3500 during this second summer). View sample projects.
  • provide informal guidance during their last year

Mentors receive $500 per student and only work with up to 2 students at a time.

  • Feel free to suggest other possible mentors or projects to the student if you're unable to mentor a student at all or in part.

What if I can't supervise the student during either or both 3rd year semesters? 

  • Just let us know, and with your help we can find another mentor or project for the student.