The core of this book focuses on bringing the power of faculty mentoring

to doctoral students in the dissertation stage of their program. For doctoral

students, a mentor is a person who points toward the goal, helping the students

chart a course to advance their career. For the mentor, it is a means

of paying it forward, helping doctoral students become self-sufficient

contributors to society. Mentoring contains several aspects: The relationship

is reciprocal, it is caring, and the process transforms both mentor and

student (Healy & Welchert, 1990).

Quality mentoring of doctoral students provides significant benefits

for faculty and students. For faculty, mentoring is a generative activity

that allows the faculty member to give back to society. The mentoring

relationship between the faculty member and doctoral student encourages

The student’s growth as a researcher, serves as an important induction

process into academia or professional practice, and leaves a legacy

with the student to pay it forward when the student assumes the mantle

of mentor.

Doctoral students who have vigilant mentors are more likely to successfully

defend their dissertations and advance their careers. These

doctoral students have a head start in a highly competitive culture to

further their careers and make significant contributions to society. As

editors, we believe each doctoral student deserves to benefit from excellent

mentoring.