Dr. Christine Grant

IEEI hosted Dr. Christine Grant on September 17, 2021. Christine Grant is a Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NC State and served for 12 years as the inaugural Associate Dean of Faculty Advancement, responsible for faculty development, promotion and tenure in the College of Engineering. She’s conducted research in surface/interfacial science and developed a green chemical engineering curriculum. Grant is a Fellow, Life Member and 2021 President-elect of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE); she’s also a Life Member of SWE, NSBE, AAUW and AISES.

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a paradigm shift in creation, coordination and collaboration constructs associated with the implementation of education enhancing technologies. A review of the important roles of inclusive mentoring in the STEM is presented in the context of current challenges and opportunities for the profession. The changing roles of mentoring as demonstrated by the range of programs from professional societies and institutions can be attributed to differing levels of access, technology and the recognition of mentoring excellence. Formal mentoring programs should empower the participants to be mentored to independence; when combined with informal mentoring practices the impact is even greater. The author shares (and challenges the audience to also explore) what are considered inclusive mentoring practices that have been present along the journey from pre-college to academic administration. The ensuing informal, productive mentoring relationships often go unrecognized in the wider STEM research community. The quest to equip STEM protégés to develop and grow their own mentoring networks can be juxtaposed with formal mentoring networks in a manner that optimizes the use of resources (e.g., funding and talent) and the willingness of others to serve as mentors. The development of strong mentoring networks comes full circle when those who are mentored become leaders in their own larger scale self-directed formal/informal mentoring networks; engineering educators have a vital role in this network development. The STEM community is uniquely positioned to impact the profession at all career levels; creating a robust post-pandemic path forward.