Mentoring Latinx Students in a Primarily White Institution: A Lasting and Empowering Partnership

In recent years the role of mentorship has been given increasing attention, particularly in Primarily White Institutions where underrepresented minority students require mentors with whom they can identify for their professional growth. As Latin American professors/mentors in the United States for more than two decades, we have engaged in a mentorship practice that develops a partnership with students that persists long after college graduation. As minoritized scholars, we have privileged our mentoring work with Latin American and Latinx students following a collaborative approach that is in contrast with the traditional top-down mentorship model. This approach involves building a student-teacher partnership that starts in college and continues after graduation. In the process, students become peer mentors and feel empowered as individuals and as part of their respective communities. This collaborative mentorship approach also allows for teacher/student partners to continue contributing and strengthening our communities. In this presentation, we will reflect on this collaborative mentorship approach and share some experiences to show its relevance.