AWIS Webinar
Lift as You Climb: The Transformative Power of Mentorship
Led by: Dr. Usha Rao
Thursday, August 6, 2026
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
About the Session
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine define mentorship as a professional, working alliance that fosters the personal and professional growth and development of both partners. Thus, in successful mentoring relationships, mentors and mentees alike receive support, develop new skills, and grow across different career stages.
In this webinar, Dr. Usha Rao will discuss the types and structures of mentoring relationships in academia and industry, strategies mentors can use to increase their impact, and ways mentees can optimize their mentoring experiences. Together, we can create transformative mentorship experiences that positively shape the careers and lives of women in STEM.
Key Takeaways:
• Discover why mentorship matters in STEM
• Learn the foundations of effective mentoring relationships
• Identify successful behaviors and practices of mentors and mentees
• Explore ways to foster more inclusive and accessible STEM spaces
This webinar is for anyone seeking to improve their mentoring relationships and opportunities.
Speaker
Usha Rao, Ph.D., is a recipient of the AWIS Zenith Award, which honors lifetime achievement. She has also received the Distinguished Research Lectureship from the Association for Women Geoscientists; the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Medal for Distinguished University Teaching; and the Elizabeth Bingham Mentoring Award for influencing the advancement of women in science. She frequently writes and speaks on the environment, higher ed, and leadership. Her work has appeared in media outlets such as the Chronicle of Higher Education, FOX29, CBS Philadelphia, WOGL Radio, and the New York Times.
Dr. Rao obtained a PhD in geochemistry from the University of Rochester and held a postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University. She is a Professor of environmental chemistry at Saint Joseph’s University.
Zoom captioning and a video recording will be available.
This webinar is $29 for non-members. (Not a member? Join AWIS for free webinar registration and access to other great resources!)