NEAR initiative connects graduate students to faculty, staff mentors

Being a graduate student is no easy task.

Throughout a graduate degree program, students typically undertake advanced coursework in their respective fields while ultimately preparing for daunting hurdles like a thesis, comprehensive exams, a dissertation, or usually some combination of the aforementioned.

However, what often goes unseen are the more personal challenges that many graduate students face. From mental health challenges and personal hardships, to confronting issues of identity, belonging and inequity, the journey of a graduate student requires not only grit and determination, but also support.

That is precisely why the Graduate School hosted an event earlier this semester, “Why Brains, and Doctoral Students, Need Friends.” This event was part of the larger Network for Enriched Academic Relationships (NEAR) initiative at UB. Initially established in 2016 by School of Social Work faculty member Laina Bay-Cheng, NEAR was founded on the principle that creative and rigorous intellectual work requires not only expert guidance in a substantive area or methodological approach, but also meaningful support to effectively navigate the broader challenges faced as a graduate student.  

Through the NEAR program, recruiting faculty and staff mentors involves gaining an understanding of the specific issues the mentors are willing to discuss with students. As a result, students benefit from a searchable, topic-specific directory that helps them connect with faculty who can offer perspectives and guidance relevant to their needs. The Graduate School also works to host relevant events to connect students and mentors while growing awareness of the importance of mentoring at this critical juncture in students’ lives.         

The February event, “Why Brains, and Doctoral Students, Need Friends,” brought together 60 NEAR mentors and doctoral students for an engaging discussion on mental health strategies and the importance of social connection during the doctoral journey. The featured speaker was Ben Rein, neuroscientist and author of Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, who explored the science behind social relationships and connected these insights to the unique challenges faced by doctoral students.

Indeed, doctoral study is often described as an intellectual journey, one defined by coursework, comprehensive exams and the dissertation. However, Rein reminded a packed Harriman Ballroom that success in graduate school depends on something more fundamental: social connection, revealing how our brains are wired for such connection and why modern life challenges those ancient instincts.

During breakout discussions and a Q&A session, mentors and doctoral students reflected on strategies for reducing isolation and strengthening community. Mentors were invited to bring up to three doctoral students, creating small, relationship-centered groups within the larger gathering.

Building on this momentum, the Graduate School is continuing its efforts to recruit more faculty and staff mentors, providing even greater support for interested students. Those wishing to sign up to be a mentor, or access the directory to find support, can visit the Network for Enriched Academic Relationships (NEAR) webpage.