Establishing a Formal Cross-Cultural Mentoring Organization and Program: A Case Study of International Student Mentor Association in a Higher Education Context.

Abstract

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to offer potential insight regarding formal cross‐cultural mentoring organization and program development in higher education contexts and beyond, by elaborating regarding the founding and programmatic efforts of an International Student Mentor Association (ISMA) at a large university in North America.Design/methodology/approach – The research approach used was an exploratory case study. Data were collected from various secondary sources. As ex‐post factor reporting, data analysis was also based on memory and experiences recalled by the first author – one of the ISMA founding members.Findings – ISMA was distinctive in employing cross‐cultural mentoring. International, cultural components were embedded in the overall organization structure, board and team designs, paired mentor system, mentor and protege matching, training content, and multilevel mentoring activities. Organization and program flow charts were identified.Research limitations/implications – Future research ...