What makes a great mentor?

Every year, the Undergraduate Research Initiative (URI) coordinates the URI Mentor Award, recognizing those who provide exceptional support to undergraduate researchers. I had the pleasure of connecting with Celina to learn about her reasons for nominating her mentor, Dr. René Belland, who was one of the 2024 award recipients.  

Celina is a recent U of A graduate with an undergraduate degree in conservation biology.

Avery: Who is your mentor, and what is your research area of focus?

Celina: My mentor is Dr. René Belland, and my area of focus is bryology, which is the study of mosses.

Avery: Why did you nominate your mentor and what qualities make them such a good mentor?

Celina: I feel like people deserve recognition in areas they excel at and sometimes that recognition doesn't actually happen, or it's very informal. I wanted Dr. Belland to be formally recognized for the energy he's put into mentoring me. There are several qualities he possesses that I really value: he's just personable, very approachable and really open to my ideas. I had a lot of ideas and ambitions, and he was excited that I was motivated to come forward with them. 

Avery: How did your mentor help to support your career? 

Celina: When I expressed interest in his field, Dr. Belland offered additional support in terms of opportunities outside of the university, where I could go into the field and learn things that I can't learn in the classroom. Through that experience, I was able to meet other people in the field who have also become mentors to me. This really elevated my career, my network and my ability to find opportunities and engage with people in the field. I felt very included!

Avery: Can you talk about an instance where your mentor helped you solve an issue or correct a mistake?

Celina: Right now, I'm working on some grant applications for funding for my master’s that I'll be starting in the winter. And I am not a strong writer when it comes to funding proposals. I don't have experience in that area. I have sent some very rough proposals to Dr. Belland and he's given me a lot more direction and helped me kind of course correct in terms of where I should take that writing. 

Avery: What skills, practical or social, did you learn from your mentor?

Celina: Definitely field skills. Learning how to identify mosses is complex. The learning curve is steep. I took a university course on that topic, but it's not the same as going out and actually learning about moss in person. 

I’m very shy when it comes to approaching people that I'm interested in meeting. Dr. Belland really helped bridge that gap and helped me build my confidence so I'm able to make those connections and network on my own. 

Avery: How does your mentor promote EDI in their work environment? 

Celina: Dr. Belland is probably one of the most open-minded and welcoming people that I've ever met in an institution like ours. He has a complete open-door policy. 

Something that I really valued and noticed was his volunteer field crew. There were three women! The field that I'm in is very male-dominated, and getting opportunities and actually being told that I will contribute is great. 

Know an exemplary mentor? Nominate them for the URI mentor award here!