Strategies for Mentoring and Advising Evaluation Graduate Students of Color

Abstract

While evaluators have many intersecting identities, ethnicity remains the most salient identity for evaluators of color. As formal graduate training in evaluation continues to expand so too does the number of students from ethnic minoritized populations, who are in need of specialized mentoring and advising. Drawing from previous research on evaluation, higher education literature, and personal reflections from the author, an Afro-Latina faculty member, this practice note outlines five strategies for mentoring and advising evaluation graduate students of color. These include: 1) Consider the impact of vicarious trauma, 2) Assist with the facilitation of peer and mentors ‘squads’, 3) Respect, honor, and celebrate students’ culture, religion, and families, 4) Be vigilant of microaggressions and practice microvalidations, and 5) Develop mentoring competence. Each strategy is presented along with reflections and practical examples for implementation.