The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (FGSPA) has launched a new initiative to support graduate supervisors.
The Graduate Supervisor Support Program, now available on Brock's Brightspace learning management system, is designed to improve the graduate experience and help faculty members fulfill their crucial role as mentors.
"The role of the graduate supervisor is one of the most significant factors in a student's success, both academically and professionally," says Suzanne Curtin, Vice-Provost and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. "These modules are a vital resource, empowering our faculty to support students in reaching their full potential while ensuring our mentorship aligns with best practices outlined by the OCGS."
Whether supervisors are new to their role or seasoned mentors, the program aim to ensure supervisors are well-equipped with best practices in graduate student mentorship.
The program's 12 comprehensive modules, created in alignment with the Ontario Council for Graduate Studies' (OCGS) Principles for Graduate Supervision, cover the graduate student lifecycle and include topics such as recruitment, planning, thesis defence and convocation.
The resource is also opt-in and asynchronous, allowing faculty to choose modules relevant to their needs.
In addition to the supervisor-focussed content, there are plans for future student-facing versions of the modules. These will help students understand what they can expect from their relationship with their supervisor and better prepare them for a successful graduate experience.
The new supervisor support program aligns with Brock's Academic Plan particularly the initiative to develop a graduate supervisory program that fosters effective mentorship and strengthens faculty-student relationships and OCGS' goal of enhancing graduate supervision across Ontario's universities.
"This is a significant step forward in building a supportive, student-centered approach to graduate education at Brock. By offering targeted resources and guidance for our supervisors, we aim to further enhance the student experience and position Brock as a leader in graduate mentorship excellence," Curtin says.
Current or future graduate supervisors can now join the program through the Brightspace opt-in link.
