2023 Mentoring and Advising Summit

Inclusive Excellence in Mentoring and Advising

Revisit the 2023 Summit

Presentations from the event are available to view on the 2023 Summit Session Recordings page.

About the 2023 Summit

We are pleased to have welcomed over 1,300 attendees representing 100+ institutions and organizations from around the globe to the sixth annual Mentoring and Advising Summit. 

The vision for this virtual summit was to explore how we can continue to build a strong culture of inclusion and belonging in our mentoring and advising work. As we strive to enhance and enrich Pitt’s educational offerings, it is increasingly important to embrace different ideas, critical perspectives, challenges, and lived experiences. During the event, participants engaged with and learned about specific tools, techniques, theories, and concepts to support students as they chart goals, develop enduring networks of colleagues and mentors, and sustain their pursuit of success after graduation.  

Agenda Overview

View the detailed agenda and speaker bios

Session Spotlights

Opening Keynote - Dr. Gail Gibson (9-10 a.m.)

Welcome and Introduction: Joseph McCarthy, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies
Fireside chat: Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Ann E. Cudd and Dr. Gail Gibson, Executive Director of the Kessler Scholars Collaborative

In this session, we will discuss the shared responsibility for campus student success efforts, particularly for our at-promise students. Advisors and mentors are key to creating community and opportunity for our first-generation, limited-income, and underrepresented-minority students. Provost Cudd will talk with Dr. Gail Gibson, who leads the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, a national network dedicated to student success.

The Equity/Excellence Imperative for Advising at Research Institutions: Insights from the Boyer 2030 Report (11:20 a.m.-12:15 p.m.)

Introduction: Steve Dandaneau, Executive Director, Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities (UERU)
Moderator: Elizabeth Bergmann Loizeaux, Special Advisor to the Provost, Boston University
Plenary Panel: 

• Igor Chirikov, Senior Researcher and SERU Consortium Director
• Elise Newkirk-Kotfila, Assistant Vice President for Strategy and Partnerships, Advising Success Network
• F. Janelle Hannah Jefferson, Project/Program Manager, Advising Success Network

The recently released Boyer Commission report, The Equity/Excellence Imperative: A 2030 Blueprint for Undergraduate Education at U.S. Research Institutions has a section devoted to advising, which advocates for “holistic advising that is student-centered and encompasses academic, career, and basic needs guidance” across an institution for all students to succeed, but most particularly to address attainment gaps for first-generation, limited-income and underrepresented minority student populations.  This panel of experts will discuss the report and its emphasis on advising towards student success.

Keynote Anchor Session (3:50-5:00 p.m.)

Introduction: April Belback, Director of Student Success
Moderator: Omid Fotuhi, Research Associate, University of Pittsburgh & Director of Learning Innovation at WGU Labs
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Vincent Tinto, Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, Syracuse University

In his recent work, "Through the Eyes of Students," Vincent Tinto focuses on sense of belonging and emotional well-being of our students as key to success in higher education. In this anchor keynote session, Dr. Omid Fotuhi will engage in a conversation with Dr. Tinto and empower advisors, mentors, and faculty who have a collaborative role to play in the persistence of our students.

Timely Topics in This Year’s Summit

• Creating a sense of belonging and inclusion through mentoring and advising #inclusion 
• Leveraging technology to improve advising policies and practices #technology 
• Highlighting collaborative and holistic advising and mentoring approaches #collaboration
• Building bridges towards student success for at-promise students #studentsuccess 
• Developing strategies for student, staff and faculty well-being #wellbeing

Who Should Participate? 

Any faculty member, staff member, administrator, graduate student, or researcher who advises, mentors or coaches undergraduate, graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows.

Why Should You Participate? 

• Network with colleagues who mentor, advise, and coach students.
• Get up-to-date information on topics, trends, and successful strategies on campus and nationally.
• Learn best practices that you can adapt for your program and students.
• Explore technologies that facilitate informed, effective, and efficient mentoring.
• Share your innovative solutions and strategies with colleagues.