"We Are Teaching and Learning with Each Other": Improving mentoring in higher education through ongoing training

ABSTRACT

This article examined ongoing mentoring training. This qualitative study analyzed interview responses from 20 mentors from 13 international locations in a global higher education initiative to determine how ongoing training affects mentors' abilities to assist higher education students in achieving their educational goals. The study results showed the benefits from ongoing mentoring training, including mentors better understanding their roles and responsibilities, mentors gaining knowledge, and mentors receiving ongoing support. Results also showed the importance in ongoing mentoring training of volunteer mentoring needs and mentoring training creativity. Furthermore, the study showed that ongoing training positively impacted mentors, that it identified contributing mentor volunteers, and that ongoing training advanced effective mentoring practices. The study also contributed findings to the literature including that mentors themselves contributed to best training practices, volunteer mentors may need more mentoring training, and ongoing mentoring training showed global transferability. As institutions of higher education take greater initiative and demonstrate innovation in providing structured ongoing training for mentors, mentors can be more knowledgeable and confident in their mentoring skills and students will have increased opportunities for success. Implications for practice or policy COVID-19 highlighted the need for effective mentoring in higher education. There is potential for transferability of mentoring training practices in global organizations by higher education leaders. The study recommended identifying opportunities for developing creative and improved best practices in mentoring, such as mentorto- mentor training sessions and just-in-time WhatsApp training. Volunteer mentors may have unique needs to consider in mentoring programs. Best practices will also include strengthening mentor confidence, understanding roles and responsibilities, and providing answers to mentor questions. © 2023 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.