Mentoring in higher education

Mentoring is an institutionally sanctioned relationship between the empowered and the disempowered. Mentoring has two parties: the mentor and the mentee. A mode of socialization, mentoring activates and perpetuates particular languages, behaviors, models of work, and definitions of success. When situated in educational environments, mentoring perpetuates asymmetrical power relationships. With men dominating presidential, provost, vice chancellor, and pro vice chancellor positions, mentoring is gendered and reinforces existing structures, normalities, and ideologies. The patriarchal structures of higher education, whereby women dominate teaching and administrative functions rather than research and leadership roles, ensure that mentoring communicates masculine ideologies to feminine mentees. This entry explores why mentoring exists, and its impact and consequences on the maintenance of asymmetrical power relations in universities.