McClellan introduces bill to increase STEM mentorships for degree participants

The Improving Mentorship in STEM Higher Education Act seeks to strengthen mentorship opportunities in higher education science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. U.S. Reps. Jennifer McClellan of Virginia and Paul Tonko of New York introduced H.R. 9134 last week.

Academic advisors have outsized impacts on the professional development and trajectory of their mentees; however, they do not typically receive mentorship training, which can jeopardize academic success, as STEM students, especially from underrepresented backgrounds, cite positive mentoring relationships as the most important factor in completing a degree.

Suzanne Ortega, President of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), said that mentorship is crucial for STEM graduate students to be successful, especially when they are first-generation and underrepresented.