For students at the University of Chicago, mentorship plays a pivotal role in their academic journey, especially in fields driven by discovery and research. Daniel Babnigg, a fourth-year astrophysics major, credits his mentor, Prof. Mike Gladders from UChicago's astronomy and astrophysics department, for providing him with the opportunity to explore new realms through hands-on experiences.
During spring break of 2024, Babnigg joined a group of undergraduates on a trip to Las Campanas Observatory near Chile's Atacama Desert. Invited by Gladders as part of a field course on observational astrophysical research, they used the Magellan Telescopes to study celestial objects firsthand. “We talk about what discovery looks like,” Gladders explained, “and then take those discoveries to a telescope and actually study them.” This experience helped shape Babnigg’s honors thesis focused on observational data analysis.
Mentorship extends beyond individual guidance; it fosters community engagement among students and alumni through platforms like Slack channels. "One of the highlights for me," said Gladders, "is not just mentoring individual students... but mentoring a community of engagement and support."
Across campus in UChicago’s Development of Social Cognition Laboratory led by psychology Prof. Katherine D. Kinzler, collaboration is emphasized among staff, graduate students, and undergraduates working on social behavior research in children. Kinzler values reciprocal learning between faculty members and students during collaborative projects.
Graduate student Rachel King mentors undergraduate researchers within this lab environment while pursuing her studies on children's understanding of socioeconomic concepts. Her approachability has made her popular among students such as Zlatina Stefanov who appreciates King's mentorship: “Rachel has listened to me so much... I'm very grateful for her.”
Lab manager Isabella Ramkissoon oversees daily operations after having been mentored herself by King during her own undergraduate studies at UChicago where she graduated with honors last spring.