Institute of Academic Excellence Mentoring Program
2023-2024 Academic Year Program Participant Handbook
Institute of Academic Excellence (IAE) is a professional career preparation program offering academic and career mentoring and professional development opportunities for prospective academics in North America and other English-speaking countries around the globe. The program’s primary audience includes graduate students in every discipline, particularly first-generation college students, students from diverse backgrounds, and international students who want to learn about academic life and careers in the United States. In addition, PhD scholars across the globe who are interested in future careers and collaborations with US institutions may benefit from this program as a career transition support.
Our program partners with the Society of North American Scholars, a non-profit professional organization. Society of North American Scholars (SNAS) is an academic community for social impact! They aim to provide data-driven and research-based insights into social issues our communities face. SNAS is passionate about education, both K-12 and higher education, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and, last but not least, poverty alleviation. In these difficult times when higher education is deemed in crisis, SNAS makes a case for academics who can and should make a wider impact and move society forward!
The objectives of the program are:
- Guiding graduate students as growing academics and mentors,
- Developmental mentoring at each stage of academic growth, mainly focusing on Masters and Ah.D. students, but also early career scholars and those academics who would like to establish themselves in the U.S. academic contexts
- Providing professional development and career guidance in and out of academia
- Providing research mentoring and collaboration opportunities to those interested
- Supporting academic excellence for early-career academics
The next IAE mentoring program cohort starts with the first meeting on October 19, 2023. The workshops will be held on Thursdays at 8.30 pm ET and shared on a private platform as recordings for those who miss them.
What should participants expect?
- Agree to participate fully in the program, workshops, and other activities.
- Be deeply engaged in their academic mentoring groups and communities and are committed to academic excellence.
- Demonstrate high potential for publishing and desire to be a successful researcher.
- Have the desire to take advantage of senior/experienced mentors.
- Be a minimum of admitted graduate school students, active Master’s students, Master’s graduates considering Ph.D., Ph.D. students, or academics who want to renew and refresh their careers.
- Be proficient in English (at an intermediate level or above).
- Be willing to complete feedback questionnaires during the program.
- Take an active role in this mentoring program. Mentees should abide by their mentor’s preferred method of contact. Keep in mind that your mentor is volunteering in their capacity. Mentees should be prepared to ask questions and willing to receive feedback. For any mentoring-related concerns, please reach out to us at IAE@snascholars.org.
Program Benefits
Program fee varies by the program level applied for and accepted into. Please see the following table for the three levels of the program offering and choose the best option for you.
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What support do I get? |
Program Levels |
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Standard Program |
Advanced Program Academic Career Workshops PLUS Academic Career Mentoring |
Premium Program Academic Career Mentoring PLUS Research Apprenticeship Program |
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Which program is the best for me? (Still trying to decide which program you want to choose, feel free to reach out to us!) |
If you need support on the fundamentals of a successful academic career. Suggested audience: Admitted graduate school students at all levels |
If you need additional mentorship from academics in the U.S. in addition to the fundamentals of a successful academic career. Suggested audience: Admitted graduate school students at all levels, particularly Master’s and Doctoral candidates, and others aiming to advance academic careers. |
If you need to conduct research and excel in your research skills with your professional and research mentors. Suggested audience: Those who want to pursue rigorous research activities through collaboration among graduate students at all levels, early career academics, and academics who desire to renew and refresh their careers. |
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Curriculum and Workshops by U.S. Professors |
Access to all IAE live or recorded workshops and recordings preparing you for the next level in your academic career. A total of 15 workshops throughout the academic year. |
Access to all IAE live or recorded workshops and recordings preparing you for the next level in your academic career. A total of 15 workshops throughout the academic year. |
Access to all IAE live or recorded workshops and recordings preparing you for the next level in your academic career. A total of 15 workshops throughout the academic year. |
|
Walk-In Virtual Office Hours |
N/A |
Weekly chat hours with U.S. professors (7 sessions) |
Weekly chat hours with U.S. professors (7 sessions) |
|
Academic Career Mentoring |
N/A |
Academic Career Mentoring in small groups based on interest, language skills, and career stage (8 sessions) |
Academic Career Mentoring in small groups based on interest, language skills, and career stage (8 sessions) |
|
Research Apprenticeship |
N/A |
N/A |
Research Opportunities with a small group of similar interests with a research mentor (15 sessions) |
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Credentials |
Completion Certificate: |
Completion Certificate: |
Completion Certificate: |
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Time Commitment |
Total: 15 hours (Including orientation and final meeting) |
Total: 30 hours (15 hours of Standard Program +8 hours Career Mentoring +7 hours Office chat) |
Total: 45 hours (30 hours of Advanced Program + 15 hours of research meetings as well as additional potential research hours) |
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Program Tuition (Annual) |
$150 |
$250 |
$350 |
For more information:
2023-2024 Academic Year Curriculum Schedule