Volunteer Opportunity

 Postdoc Mentorship Program  

In collaboration with the University of Minnesota Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC), the Office of Postdoctoral Initiatives (OIP) is again offering a mentorship program pairing UMN retirees with postdocs.  

Depending on the needs of individual postdocs, mentors will provide support in several areas:   

• Academic writing, e.g. for journal publications,
• Professional presentations,
• Funding proposal development,  
• Profession-specific career development (work culture, job searches),
• Listening and reading comprehension; profession-specific vocabulary. 

The URVC Postdoc Mentoring Program was piloted in the 2023-2024 academic year and expanded in the 2024-2025 academic year.  It was found to be enjoyable and beneficial to both postdocs and mentors alike.  

We believe that the individualized support provided by this program is especially important to postdocs this year, due to recent changes in funding and immigration policies that have disrupted many postdocs’ plans.

Mentor-Mentee Match Process  

• The Mentorship Program time frame is September 14, 2026, to January 20, 2027, but can be extended through Spring 2027, if desired by both the mentor and mentee.  
• Mentor-mentee matches will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, Matches will be subject to mutual agreement between the mentee and mentor.  
• Mentors and Mentees can meet at mutually convenient meeting times but should plan to meet at least one hour every 2 weeks. 
• Mentors may request more than one (1) mentee. 
• A virtual “Kick-Off” Orientation Session for mentors and their mentees will be held prior to the program’s start date.  

If you would like to mentor a postdoc, please complete the following form.   

For additional information, please contact: Terry L. Smith, Coordinator, URVC Postdoc Mentorship Program at terrysmith9898@gmail.com.  

URVC Postdoc Mentorship Program – Mentor Interest Form  

Please indicate your mentoring preferences and background on the form below. 

You will receive further information on the retiree mentor-mentee matching processes once the completed form has been received. 

I would be interested in the following areas of mentorship (check all that apply):  

□ Academic writing, e.g., for journal publications  

□ Professional presentations  

□ Funding proposal development  

□ Profession-specific career development (work culture, job searches, etc.)  

□ Listening and reading comprehension; profession-specific vocabulary

What was/is your academic department affiliation? ________________________________ 

What are your main areas of expertise? ____________________________________________ 

Do you prefer in-person or virtual meetings for mentoring?  

         □ In-person                             □ Both  

□ Virtual                                   □ No preference  

Which semester(s) do you anticipate being available for mentoring?  

         □ Fall 2026               □ Both Fall and Spring semesters

Are there any considerations you consider important in the choice of a mentee for you?  

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Name:  _____________________________       Email: ________________________________ 

Telephone: __________________________ 

Please return this form by Saturday, August 1, 2026.  

To: Terry L. Smith, Coordinator, Postdoc Mentorship Program terrysmith9898@gmail.com