The local chapter of Association for Women in Science is hosting free professional mentoring workshops Aug. 25 and 26 for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln community.

The overarching goal is to provide lifelong mentor and mentee skills to senior and junior faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students and undergraduates within the STEM fields and outside of it.

Studies have shown men in STEM fields traditionally mentor women earning degrees, said Hannah Birge, one of three doctoral students instrumental in organizing the workshop, and for various and complicated reasons, the women aren’t becoming mentors themselves.

Workshop planners are hoping to change that by shedding light on the issue.

Cynthia Simpson, the chief business development officer for AWIS, and Donna Dean, executive consultant for AWIS and retired senior federal executive for the National Institutes of Health, will lead the workshops.

The program is meant to build an appreciation for mentoring, as well as give people the tools and techniques needed to be good mentors or mentees. It also provides strategies for beginning and sustaining mentoring programs.

“We want mentee/mentor pairs to come and take what they learn back to their labs,” said Mary Bomberger Brown, research assistant professor with the School of Natural Resources.

Planner and doctoral student Jessica Burnett agreed, adding that it’s important for mentees to realize mentors can’t be a mentor for everything. Other faculty, peers, role models and blogs also can provide answers.

“The first step in a good mentor/mentee relationship is good communication,” Burnett said. “Be clear about what you want from the relationship. And remember that having more than one mentor is OK.”

The workshop will take these ideas and get to the core of finding and maintaining successful mentor/mentee relationships.

Half-day workshops are scheduled for:

• 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Aug. 25 in the Unity Room at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center.

• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 25 in the Unity Room at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center.

• 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Aug. 26 in Hardin Hall Auditorium.

• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 26 in Hardin Hall Auditorium.

The workshops are all-inclusive.

“This is open to men, people of color, to different cultures, to urban and rural — everyone,” said Bomberger Brown. “It’s not just for women in science. Wherever you are from and whoever you are, this workshop will give you the tools you need to bridge the gap.”

A reception will follow sessions on Aug. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 2021 NW 168th Road, Garland, Nebraska.

The last day to register for the event is Aug. 18; each session can accommodate 80 participants. To register, click here.

AWIS is the largest multi-discipline organization for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Its goal is to achieve equity and full participation of women in all disciplines and across all employment sectors.