Exploring Perceptions of Mentor Relationships in Doctoral Programs

The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory, multiple-case study was to explore mentoring relationships and student compatibility in doctoral programs. This design offered and explained an in-depth understanding of what creates a mentor relationship for mentors and doctoral students. The knowledge gained from this study will assist institutional leaders to focus on continuously developing effective strategies to help bridge the gap of failed mentoring relationships between doctoral candidates and their mentors. This book is a must read for doctoral chairs, academic deans, and provosts at colleges and universities that have doctoral programs as a guideline to institute, improve, and enhance mentoring relationships between organizational, doctoral-level mentors and doctoral candidate students. Key Search Terms: academic institutions, academic leaders, academic performance, advisor, career success, coach, communication skills, compatibility, cultural compatibility, developmental stages, doctoral chairs, doctoral mentors, doctoral programs, doctoral students, Emotional Intelligence (EI), emotional stability, enrollments, face-to-face mentoring, faculty members, formal mentoring process / formal mentoring program, higher education leaders, identity development, interpersonal relationships, leaders, leadership, Leadership development, matching process, mental attitudes, mentees, mentor programs, mentor training system, mentor/mentee relationship, mentoring, mentoring models, mentoring practices, mentoring relationships, mentors, mentorship practices, mentorship training, non-traditional mentoring, professional relationship, prot g s, relationship building, role model, self-awareness, self-efficacy, sense of belonging, theory and model of mentoring