OPA Program

Tuesday, August 11 & Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 9:00am-12:30pm

** Must be able to attend both sessions.**  If selected for the workshop, you will be notified of the location.

Monday, July 27, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

This workshop will equip mentors with strategies to help mentees identify goals, develop professional skills, build confidence, expand networks, and navigate career decisions. 

Through interactive activities, participants will learn how to create effective mentoring relationships and support mentees in building their professional identity and career trajectory.

Facilitators: Chelse Spinner and Maryam Pourmaleki, Postdoc Peer Mentoring Coaches. 

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is hosting Bliss Pops gourmet popsicles for all postdocs!

Sign up and stop by for a handcrafted, organic ice pop, made with real fresh fruit!

All flavors are 100% vegan and gluten free!

Popsicles will be provided until supplies run out -- we recommend stopping by on the earlier side if you can!

Monday, July 20, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

In this interactive session, we’ll explore how to foster independence in mentees across different aspects of research. Through small-group discussions, participants will learn how to identify where a mentee is on their path to independence and how to tailor their mentoring approach accordingly. 

With many of us working with summer interns over the coming weeks, this workshop offers practical strategies you can put into practice right away.

Required Readings: 

Aguiar, A. A., & Calabrese, J. (2025). Broadening the perspective of traditional lecturing vs. active learning in introductory college biology. Discover Education, 4, 278. DOI: 10.1007/s44217-025-00729-7 -- LINK 

Monday, June 22, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

Mentors frequently encounter situations where advice alone is not enough to drive meaningful change. 

This interactive session will introduce the Six Sources of Influence framework and explore how motivation, ability, social networks, and systems shape behavior. Through discussion and practical examples, participants will learn strategies to support trainees, foster accountability, and create environments that promote growth and success. 

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is hosting The Pop Nation gourmet popsicles for all postdocs!

Sign up and stop by for a hand crafted, gourmet ice pop, made with real fresh fruit!

All flavors are 100% vegan and gluten free!

Popsicles will be provided until supplies run out -- we recommend stopping by on the earlier side if you can!

Monday, June 15, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

Mentoring compacts are shared agreements between mentors and mentees to outline expectations and commitments to each other. Compacts are critical tools to establish mentoring relationships, which can be especially useful when working with new trainees and summer interns. 

During this workshop, we will introduce mentoring compacts, provide templates for creating one, and write our own through guided brainstorming and peer discussion. 

Monday, July 13, 12:00pm-1:20pm, On Campus

An estimated half of U.S. faculty job applications require a statement of teaching philosophy. In this interactive workshop, you will learn the basics of the teaching statement genre, reflect on your own teaching philosophy, and practice evaluating the statements of successful job seekers. No matter how much or how little teaching experience you have, register today and take the guesswork out of the teaching statement.