The IPSE Association Mentorship Program connects faculty, staff, leaders, and graduate students across the country to strengthen inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) for students with intellectual disability.
Through supportive, professional mentoring relationships, participants share knowledge, problem‑solve challenges, and build capacity across programs, disciplines, and career stages.
Why Mentoring Matters in the IPSE Field
Inclusive postsecondary education is a growing and complex field. Mentoring provides space to:
- Learn from experienced colleagues
- Navigate program development and institutional systems
- Strengthen research, teaching, and leadership skills
- Support emerging professionals and graduate students
- Build a connected, collaborative IPSE community
Mentoring relationships are grounded in respect, shared learning, and a commitment to inclusive higher education.
Mentoring Categories
The IPSE Association offers three mentoring tracks to meet diverse professional needs.
1. Staff/Leadership Mentoring
Operations & Administration
Designed for professional staff, administrators, and program leaders responsible for implementing and sustaining IPSE programs.
Common focus areas include:
- Program development and operations
- Staffing, supervision, and roles
- Budgeting, funding, and grants
- Policies, procedures, and compliance
- Campus partnerships and coordination
- Data collection, reporting, and sustainability
Ideal for:
IPSE coordinators, directors, administrators, and staff navigating operational or institutional challenges.
2. Faculty/Research & Leadership Mentoring
Designed for faculty and scholar‑practitioners engaged in teaching, research, and leadership related to IPSE.
Common focus areas include:
- Inclusive curriculum and instruction
- Faculty roles in IPSE programs
- Research design, evaluation, and publication
- Grant writing and funded research
- Institutional leadership and systems change
- Policy and accreditation considerations
Ideal for:
Faculty new to IPSE, experienced faculty mentors, researchers, and academic leaders.
3. Pre‑Professional/Graduate Student Mentoring
Designed for graduate students and emerging professionals exploring or building careers in inclusive postsecondary education.
Common focus areas include:
- Understanding the IPSE landscape
- Career exploration and professional pathways
- Research, thesis, or dissertation support
- Applied learning and field experience
- Translating coursework into practice
- Professional identity and leadership development
Ideal for:
Master’s and doctoral students, pre‑professionals, and early‑career scholars or practitioners.
How the Mentoring Program Works
- Apply
Mentors and mentees complete an online application describing their background, interests, goals, and availability.
- Thoughtful Matching
IPSE Association staff use a structured matching rubric to align participants based on experience, expertise, goals, mentoring preferences, and optional identity considerations.
- Flexible Mentoring Relationships
Mentoring may be:
- One‑on‑one or small group
- Short‑term or ongoing
- Virtual and professionally focused
- Ongoing Support
Participants receive guidance on expectations and are encouraged to check in regularly and communicate openly.
Who Can Be a Mentor?
Mentors are experienced faculty, staff, researchers, administrators, or leaders who:
- Have experience in IPSE or related fields
- Are willing to share knowledge and guidance
- Commit to respectful, professional engagement
- Support the growth of individuals and programs
Mentoring is a volunteer, service‑oriented role that strengthens the IPSE community nationwide.
Who Can Be a Mentee?
Mentees include:
- Faculty or staff new to the IPSE field
- Program leaders seeking targeted support
- Graduate students and emerging professionals
- Researchers, practitioners, and administrators at all career stages
Mentees are expected to actively engage, communicate goals, and honor time commitments.
Equity and Respect in Mentoring
Participants may choose to share identity‑based considerations—such as cultural background, disability status, LGBTQ+ identity, or other lived experiences—to support respectful and meaningful matching. Disclosure is always optional, and information is used only for mentoring alignment.
Ready to Participate?
Together, we strengthen inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual disability by learning from one another.