DOC/710R
Let’s Climb the
Dissertation
Mountain
Choosing a
Mentor/Chair:
The Guide UP
the
Dissertation
Mountain
Role of Mentor/Chair
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Coach
A rock climbing guide
A content editor
Design/subject expert
Resource director
Committee Coordinator
Nag
A Mentor Does NOT:
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Write the dissertation or any section.
Edit every APA or grammar mistake
Edit every single minor revision
Keep you on your timeline
Guarantee graduation
Take on dissertation responsibility
Role of Dissertation Student
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Listen
Ask questions
Revise – Revise - Revise
Avoid arguing
Create timeline and contract;
sign and revise
Successful Mentoring
Relationships
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Develop a thick skin – edits
are good!
Keep in contact with
mentor.
Manage time wisely.
Develop dissertation
timeline
Develop consultation
sources
Celebrate major steps in
journey
Finding a Mentor/Chair
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Problem Statement determines choice
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Subject matter OR Design expert
Match profiles with problem statement
Interview – do not select someone
because you “like” them.
Finding Committee
Members
Ask Mentor
 Use Problem statement
 Well-rounded Committee is critical
 Mentor must approve revisions
 Committee involvement
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Creating Mentor Charters and
Timeline Contracts
Charters are agreements
 Processes, when, where, roles, and
conflict resolution
 Timeline of milestones
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When to Choose a Mentor
Must select a mentor by the end of
DOC/721.
 Search SAS Web Site
 Review Faculty Profiles
 Use Mentor/Mentee Matrix
 Create a Mentor/Mentee
agreement
 Commit to the Relationship
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