September 2025 | Oceanography
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selected to participate in MPOWIR conferences also gain access
to additional coaching on negotiation, goal-setting, and inclusive
leadership. MPOWIR senior leaders feel more confident in sug-
gesting improvements to policies and procedures impacting the
career success of women+, initiating mentoring programs at their
home institutions, and taking on leadership roles.
Mentoring, while rewarding, also presents some challenges,
notably in terms of time commitment, as mentors juggle demand-
ing research and administrative responsibilities, limiting the
time available for dedicated mentorship. This commitment often
requires flexible scheduling and the willingness to dedicate signif-
icant personal time. Balancing the role of advisor, confidant, and
career coach can be complex, requiring emotional intelligence and
adaptability. Addressing sensitive topics like work-life balance,
imposter syndrome, or career setbacks requires empathy, tact, and
discretion. Mentors can experience stress over the perceived qual-
ity of their advice, questioning whether their guidance is benefi-
cial and relevant. This concern is compounded by the emotional
weight of mentorship of exceptional young scientists subject to
systemic challenges and a well-known “leaky pipeline.” MPOWIR’s
leadership and mentorship training, combined with the advan-
tages of co-mentoring and being part of a mentor community,
equips mentors to effectively navigate these challenges.
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
The supplementary materials are available online at https://doi.org/10.5670/
oceanog.2025.e307.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
MPOWIR received initial support from the National Science Foundation through a col-
laborative research award (#2148704 and #2148705) to Colleen Mouw and Mona Behl
at the University of Rhode Island and the University of Georgia, respectively. (It was
terminated by the agency in April 2025.) Support for MPOWIR is also provided by the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
All authors contributed to all aspects of the article.
COMPETING INTERESTS
The authors declare no competing interests.
AUTHORS
Mona Behl (mbehl@uga.edu), Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, University
of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. Sarah Clem and Colleen Mouw, University
of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI, USA.
Sonya Legg, Center for Ocean Leadership, University Corporation for Atmospheric
Research (UCAR), Boulder, CO, USA. Erin Hackett, Coastal Carolina University,
Conway, SC, USA. Kristin Burkholder, Stonehill College, Easton, MA, USA.
Kristopher B. Karnauskas, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA. Sarah T. Gille,
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla,
CA, USA. Lauren A. Freeman, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport,
Newport, RI, USA. Karan Venayagamoorthy, Department of Civil, Architectural, and
Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO,
USA. Jerry L. Miller, Science for Decisions LLC, Hemingway, SC, USA.
ARTICLE CITATION
Behl, M., S. Clem, C. Mouw, S. Legg, E. Hackett, K. Burkholder, K.B. Karnauskas,
S.T. Gille, L.A. Freeman, K. Venayagamoorthy, and J.L. Miller. 2025. Mentors:
The hidden beneficiaries of mentoring. Oceanography 38(3):51–59, https://doi.org/
10.5670/oceanog.2025.e307.
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