Mentorship and Online Higher Education

Several institutions of higher education have adopted and/or expanded their use of online learning since the 1990s. Despite the significant growth of online undergraduate and graduate programs, research indicates that prospective online students fear they may not have the opportunity to achieve the same degree of academic success or build connections with peers and faculty in a virtual classroom. This chapter aims to address how mentorship programs can enhance the online learning environment and help students gain the skills, connections, and support necessary to achieve their personal and professional goals. The chapter will provide an overview of various mentorship styles, types of mentors, and stages of mentorship applicable to online higher education. Strategies to develop appropriate and effective mentorship programs for online undergraduate and graduate students will be discussed.