Ph.D. Program Advising & Mentoring

Department Resources 

As challenges arise related to navigating an advising or mentoring relationship in the department, the first stop within the department is the graduate education team. The current team includes: 

  • Christine Gormley, Graduate Program Coordinator, chmgprog@uw.edu: Logistical questions about the program, coursework, student advising, graduate exam 
  • Alshakim Nelson, Associate Chair of PhD Studies, alshakim@uw.edu: For guidance related to the PhD program and maintaining the Elements of Good Academic Standing  
  • Brandi Cossairt, PhD Training and Mentoring Sub-Committee Chair, cossairt@uw.edu: For questions related to PhD program, identifying advisors, student-advisor interactions, mentorship, professional development 

The graduate education team offers confidential or non-confidential, one-on-one or small group meetings with members of the department to help navigate the PhD program and advising relationships. 

Department guidance on program requirements and expectations are laid out in: 

  • Elements of Good Academic Standing 
  • CHEM 600/800 Syllabus 
    • CHEM 600/800 is a graded course. Possible grades include:  
      • CR (credit) – Satisfactory completion of quarterly milestones. The minimum performance level required for a CR grade was met as determined by the research advisor.  
      • N (in progress) – Satisfactory but tasks incomplete for the quarter. Indicates that student assessment is ongoing. The final grade will be given at the end of the quarter when the work is completed. An "N" grade carries with it no credit or grade until a regular grade is assigned. Students may receive a meeting request from the Graduate Education Committee to discuss the N grade and the expectations that have been established in order to receive a CR for the following quarter. 
      • NC (no credit) – The minimum performance level required for a CR grade was NOT met as determined by the research advisor. A grade of NC should be preceded by written communication from the research advisor listing expectations for CR and explaining how they are not being met. 
  • PhD Student Handbook 

Individual Development Plans: An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a personal strategic plan to realize job-related, career-related, and/or professional development objectives. The IDP is an important tool in communicating your needs and goals with your research advisor and other mentors. IDPs should be completed, revised, and discussed at a minimum once per year.  

University Resources 

Conflict resolution:  

  • Office of the Ombud: Provides services and consultation focused on preventing, managing, navigating and resolving conflict at the UW 

Mental health and counseling resources: 

Safety: 

  • SafeCampus: SafeCampus’ mission is to foster a safe and supportive UW community by helping faculty, staff, and students prevent violence and be prepared to respond when it occurs. 
  • EH&S 

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training: 

  • RCR training is intended to help sensitize the university research community to the wide range of ethical and professional issues that must be considered to ensure a climate of research integrity.   
    • The UW offers RCR training.  
    • RCR training is required for NIH and NSF funded work.  

Other Mentoring Resources

Career Resources

Job Listings

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