DISC Mentorship Program

Vision Statement:

The DISC Mentorship Program supports the University of Oklahoma’s strategic mission to advance research excellence and support student and faculty success. By leveraging the expertise and success stories of DISC seed funding awardees, the program encourages the community to promote a culture of mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning that contributes to OU’s broader goals in research innovation and transdisciplinary collaboration to achieve excellence.

Purpose:

To foster a supportive academic environment where faculty, staff, and students receive mentorship from experienced faculty members. The program aims to guide mentees in securing internal and external funding, navigating institutional processes, and building collaborations that support long-term career success.

Focus Areas:

To help junior faculty develop strong Internal seed funding proposals
To help postdocs, and graduate students in academic and research success.
To create diverse cluster of researchers for strategizing large federal funding opportunities
To build collaborations and professional networks for career development

Requirements of Mentors:

Must be a faculty or staff member at OU.
Must be a DISC member.
Prior experience working on transdisciplinary research projects is preferred.
Prior experience working with federal funding agencies is preferred.
Prior experience in mentorship is preferred.

Join the program. DISC Mentorship Program – Mentor Enrollment Survey

Matching Process:
Mentors and mentees will be strategically matched based on a comprehensive evaluation of research interests, funding experience, and specific professional development goals. To ensure the partnership is built on a foundation of genuine rapport and compatibility, DISC will utilize a targeted assessment survey designed to align communication styles and interpersonal expectations. We recognize that trust and open dialogue are the cornerstones of a successful mentorship; therefore, the matching process prioritizes the creation of an environment where candid exchange can flourish. Once a pair is identified, DISC will facilitate the formal introduction and provide the necessary logistical support to organize initial kick-off meetings, ensuring smooth operations and a seamless transition into the collaborative relationship.

Benefits For Mentors:

Commit to be listed as mentor through this program within one year of receiving DISC seed funding
While task-oriented milestones are necessary, mentors are expected to prioritize the development of a meaningful personal relationship. Success is predicated on a foundation
Include the qualitative and quantitative outcomes of the mentorship in all seed funding reports submitted to DISC.
Participate in a specialized Survey. This instrument is designed to evaluate the strength of the mentor-mentee rapport and the quality of the personal connection, ensuring the relationship remains mutually beneficial and focused on long-term growth rather than just administrative compliance.

Benefits For Mentees:

Access to seasoned expertise for navigating complex academic structures and the broader clinical research ecosystem.
Direct assistance through letters of support and strategic recommendations to improve the success rate of internal and external funding applications.
Guidance for graduate students and Post docs on maintaining a healthy work-life balance and navigating the transition from academia to diverse career paths.
Development of both technical research proficiencies and essential professional competencies (soft skills) required for leadership in academia.
Focused mentorship aimed at building professional confidence and self-esteem, ensuring that innovative ideas are voiced and championed rather than silenced by self-doubt.
Opportunities to strengthen and extend professional relationships and collaborations both within the OU and across the national research landscape.
Exposure to a "leaders create leaders" philosophy, preparing the mentee to eventually transition into a mentorship and principal investigator role.

Expectations for Mentors:

Commit to be listed as mentor through this program within one year of receiving DISC seed funding
Success is predicated on this foundation.
While task-oriented milestones are necessary, mentors are expected to prioritize the development of a meaningful personal relationship. Success is predicated on a foundation
Include the qualitative and quantitative outcomes of the mentorship in all seed funding reports submitted to DISC.
Participate in a specialized Survey. This instrument is designed to evaluate the strength of the mentor-mentee rapport and the quality of the personal connection, ensuring the relationship remains mutually beneficial and focused on long-term growth rather than just administrative compliance.

Expectations for Mentees:

Actively initiate communication and maintain a consistent meeting cadence with the mentor to drive progress toward professional and research-oriented goals.
Beyond task completion, mentees are expected to invest in the personal aspect of the partnership. Mentees must complete a specialized survey, which specifically evaluates the depth of rapport, trust, and the quality of the personal connection established.
Foster an environment of candid dialogue, ensuring the relationship transcends mere administrative requirements to become a transformative professional bond.
Document both the qualitative milestones and developmental outcomes of the mentorship within the official seed funding reports submitted to DISC.

Acknowledgment:

Participating mentors will be recognized by DISC for their service contributions and support of faculty development. Mentees who engage in this program will be highlighted in future DISC events and communications to showcase their success stories and program impact.

Ready to join the program? DISC Mentorship Program – Mentor Enrollment Survey. We are currently inviting experienced faculty to serve as mentors for our junior faculty awardees of seed funding.