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New Students: Mentoring and Advising

This handbook contains useful information about the differences and similarities between mentoring and advising. The sections are listed below.

Newly admitted students should contact their mentor(s) shortly after they begin courses. You’re encouraged to schedule a Zoom meeting or phone call with them to introduce yourself and discuss ideas.

For questions about program planning, Graduate College forms, and related matters, contact the Program Advising Team.

Program Events and Milestones

Many people are involved in supporting you on your Ed.D. journey to provide encouragement, constructive feedback and support for your well-being. But who does what? When? Those who have input include:

  • Program Advising Team
  • Initial Faculty Mentor(s)
  • Research Committee Chair (“Doctoral Advisor”)
  • Supervisory Committee Members (“Dissertation Committee”)
  • Senior Doctoral Students / Peer Mentors

Communicate program news, deadlines, and policies

Primary source: Program Advising Team

Planning Program sequence, matriculation, transfer courses

Primary source: Program Advising Team

May be of some help: Initial Faculty Mentor(s)

Choosing electives or cognate courses

Primary source: Initial Faculty Mentor(s)

Useful input: Program Advising Team

May be of some help: Senior Doctoral Students / Peer Mentors

Enrollment aid for courses or adjusting plans

Primary source: Program Advising Team

Gathering data for the program planning & reporting

Primary source: Program Advising Team

Check-ins: Course progress, research ideas, & research questions

Primary source: Initial Faculty Mentor(s)

May be of some help: Senior Doctoral Students / Peer Mentors

Find a research advisor /chair & committee faculty

Primary Source: Initial Faculty Mentor(s)

May be of some help: Program Advising Team & Senior Doctoral Students / Peer Mentors

Orientation & Professionalization to the academic field of study

Primary source: Initial Faculty Mentor(s) and Research Committee Chair

Useful input: Senior Doctoral Students / Peer Mentors

Career coaching & Networking

Primary source: Initial Faculty Mentor(s) and Research Committee Chair

May be of some help: Senior Doctoral Students / Peer Mentors

Develop research ideas, theoretical framework & research questions

Primary source: Research Committee Chair & Supervisory Committee Members

Useful input: Initial Faculty Mentor(s)

May be of some help: Senior Doctoral Students / Peer Mentors

Collaborate & Engage in scholarship

Primary source: Research Committee Chair & Supervisory Committee Members

Useful input: Initial Faculty Mentor(s) & Senior Doctoral Students / Peer Mentors

Ensure readiness for Comps; Grad College forms

Primary source: Program Advising Team

Useful input: Research Committee Chair

Planning for Comp Exam & Assessment of it

Primary source: Research Committee Chair & Supervisory Committee Members

Guides Research Proposal & IRB

Primary source: Research Committee Chair & Supervisory Committee Members

Feedback on dissertation drafts

Primary source: Research Committee Chair & Supervisory Committee Members

May be of some help: Senior Doctoral Students / Peer Mentors

Assist with defense logistics, paperwork, & graduation info

Primary source: Program Advising Team

Conduct final oral examination and determine dissertation defense outcome

Primary source: Research Committee Chair & Supervisory Committee Members

Logistics: Program Advising Team

Post-defense Reviews and Signatures

Primary source: Research Committee Chair

Gold Tassel Time! Hooding, Hugs or a Handshake

Primary source: Research Committee Chair


Here are versions of graphics (available in deferment forms, depending on your needs) that show the information above. It depicts how program advising, mentoring, and research advising work. It shows how much each team, individual, or group is involved with students, when they first get involved, and their strengths.

GoogleDrawing view

GoogleSheet view

PNG image

PDF document

An image that shows how the various people who have input into the doctoral journey factor into the process. The graphic shows was is described in text on the page.