This session will spotlight the transformative nature of mission-driven mentorship in higher education. Though the missions of institutions are highly individualized and vary in the degree in which they permeate university life, the tenets of each mission can provide a framework for individual mentorship and subsequent student scholarship. Such a mission-driven framework is beneficial for faculty planning and student focus. At the same time, these experiences of shared language and goal setting can lead to enhanced trust, strengthened relationships, heightened creativity, and elevated outcomes. The emphasis on academic excellence, societal impact, and community connections can be identified across the missions of many, if not all, institutions of higher education. Explicitly embracing, discussing, and letting the mission of the institution guide the mentoring process may lead to competent and intellectually curious graduates who are also leaders, advocates, and empathetic professionals with enhanced levels of self-efficacy and sense of purpose.

Examples of implementing a mission-driven framework for one-on-one mentoring will be provided using the Spiritan charism and mission of Duquesne University. A summary of mission statements across other colleges and universities will be presented and ways to extend some of these examples will be considered. Lastly, students and faculty in attendance will be led to reflect on the mission of their home institution and the potential benefits and challenges of utilizing a mission-driven approach to mentoring.