Research Training and Education Services is pleased to expand the offerings of STRIVE, adding a mentoring program to its current offerings of a three-tiered training program and a research administration community network. STRIVE Mentoring is designed to strengthen the network of research administration staff at USC, fostering professional development through mutually beneficial mentoring relationships. 
 
Through monthly mentor-mentee meetings over the course of a twelve-month work period, pairs will work together to accomplish mentee-determined goals designed to enhance research administration skills. The program aims to cultivate a supportive network for new research administrators while harnessing the collective expertise of the established community and strengthening shared resources. 

 

STRIVE Mentoring: What to expect 

Participants in STRIVE Mentoring will attend a mentor training session or mentee orientation session at the start of the program; the inaugural cohort will begin meeting in July. Each month, mentor and mentee will be responsible for arranging a time to meet to work toward identified professional development goal(s). There will also be a mid-program check-in meeting, as well as a wrap-up meeting to acknowledge successful completion of STRIVE Mentoring. 

 

Apply for STRIVE Mentoring by Monday, June 2

 Research Training and Education Services will accept applications for the inaugural STRIVE Mentoring community via our REDCap application form through Monday, June 2. Mentees must also complete the STRIVE Mentoring self-assessment form and the STRIVE Mentoring supervisor acknowledgement form.

 

APPLY TO BE A MENTEE        APPLY TO BE A MENTOR

 

Eligibility 

Anyone in research administration at USC who meets the criteria below may apply.

To be considered for STRIVE Mentoring as a mentor, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Be employed within the USC system in a research administration or grants administration role for no less than 18 months.  
• Attend the mentor training session at the start of the program (held virtually via Teams).  
• Commit to participating in the full program, including monthly meetings and a mid-program check-in meeting.
• NOT participate as a mentor to one of your direct/indirect reports.
• CRA is preferred but not required.

To be considered for STRIVE Mentoring as a mentee, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Be able to identify a professional development goal(s) achievable within the program duration OR demonstrate a desire to learn about research administration broadly or a specific area within research administration.
• Attend the mentee orientation at the start of the program (held virtually via Teams).  
• Commit to participating in the full program, including monthly meetings and a mid-program check-in meeting. 

 

Questions about STRIVE Mentoring? 
Contact Erin Butler at eb129@mailbox.sc.edu for support. 
 
 1 April 2025