REACH's Research Analytics Mentorship Program (RAMP) is a peer-to-peer mentorship program open to professionals in a variety of areas within research analytics, evaluation, and research administration. Mentors and mentees can expect to build upon their skills to contribute to this growing community.
Research Analytics Mentorship Program
At-A-Glance: RAMP 2026 - 2027
The 2026-2027 program will match 3-4 mentees with a single mentor based on identified mentee interests and mentor expertise. RAMP formally runs for 8 months, from September 2026 - April 2027. The application period for both mentors and mentees runs from July 8 - 31.
Mentees are expected to complete a deliverable and fulfil a dissemination requirement. The deliverable is a product, tool, or report that mentees create during RAMP, and the dissemination requirement is a way to share the deliverable. The dissemination requirement may be fulfilled by submitting a session proposal to the 2027 Research Analytics Summit or other professional conference or an internal institution presentation.
Accepting applications July 8 - 31!
Sign up for one of the Community Information calls:
- July 7, 3:00 – 4:00PM ET – Click here to register
- July 10, 12:00 – 1:00PM ET – Click here to register
For RAMP Mentees
As a mentee, you will share your professional experience with your mentor, and bring them your questions about the research analytics field.
What can I expect from my mentor?
Your mentor will be an research analytics professional with multiple years of experience in analytics and/or higher education.
From September to April, mentors will meet virtually once or twice a month with their mentee group, holding individual 1:1 mentor/mentee meetings as needed. At the group meetings, your mentor will share their professional and career experience with you, talk with you about your experience and goals, support your efforts develop your identified deliverable, and answer questions!
Mentees are paired with a mentor who had expertise in areas that you indicated were of high interest to you in your application.
How long is the program?
The 2026-2027 mentor and mentee applicants receive their group pairings in August and will meet from September to April (8 months).
Does it cost anything to participate?
No! Participation in RAMP is free for mentees. However, REACH does not have funds to support mentee travel expenses for program deliverables. Costs for associated activities are the responsibility of the mentee’s home institution.
For RAMP mentors
As a mentor, you will share your work experience, professional knowledge and expertise, personal career path, and interests with your mentee group.
How much time can I expect to spend?
We ask mentors to meet virtually with their mentee group once or twice a month and hold 1:1 meetings with mentees in their group, as needed.
Mentors should be able to invest up to 5 hours each month. This time includes the group meetings, 1:1 meetings, and attendance at the monthly webinar (if desired). Mentors may spend more or less than 5 hours each month, but 5 hours is provided as a reference point.
What are some common discussion topics?
- Current issues in the profession
- Your personal career path and experience
- Career tracks and exploration
- What a “typical” day is like for you
- How to look for and get a job
- Management issues
- Skill development related to mentees' defined goals and deliverables
What traits will a successful mentor have?
Mentors should be responsive, kind, and encouraging to their mentees. Successful mentors should have:
- a desire to help others grow and develop professionally
- patience with mentees who are still developing their skills and exploring/defining their interests
- a willingness to learn from and about students’ experiences
Mentors may consider reviewing this infographic on PurdueGlobal for information on generational differences in the workplace.