Mentoring
Since 2017, I have co-mentored eight REU students with independent summer projects (1-2 per summer). Although my primary role as a mentor is to help them develop their project and learn the basics of doing field ecology, I also prioritize ensuring that they feel safe and comfortable working in the laboratory with harsh chemicals and in the field where the hazards of montane or alpine environments are generally unfamiliar as well as at a new institution in which they may be a minority or feel marginalized for real or perceived reasons. To do this, I immediately work to establish open and honest communication with my mentees, treating them as people rather than projects and letting them get to know me so that they feel comfortable voicing any concerns as they arise throughout the summer. Helping students grow over the summer and seeing them flourish has been the most rewarding aspect of my time at RMBL.