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We work to cultivate brave spaces for critical conversations by supporting our project mentors with an online Mentoring Guide that includes information about the Lightbulb Moment and describes the transformative power of storytelling in the practice of inclusive mentorship. We also host workshops on storytelling in partnership with campus units and continue to explore partnerships for faculty development.

Though some participants have been reluctant to share their stories in these contexts, the conversations that emerge as participants share their stories have provided opportunities to surface issues of failure, uncertainty, imposter syndrome, belonging and many other themes common among students, faculty and staff. As with students who see their peers and mentors through the lens of success, faculty and staff participants are often surprised to hear these themes repeated so pervasively in a university setting.

We encourage the community to continue these conversations in their interactions with students who can find empowerment in knowing that their mentors have also struggled with doubt—and benefited from mentorship.Though we leave the stories shared in faculty and staff workshops in these spaces, we include many student Lightbulb Moment stories in the context of our Curiosity Lab workshop series, which provides an introduction to experiential learning for all undergraduates. ÌýWe partner with a range of student-support and equity-oriented programs in hosting these workshops and coordinating participation.

All workshops are designed to support students at any stage of their undergraduate career—and with any level of experience with research or other opportunities. ÌýEach workshop provides opportunities to connect with supportive staff and peers throughout the community with student stories integrated throughout the presentations and materials. ÌýThe overall objective of the series is to invite students to consider where their curiosity is pointing them and help them find where they can draw the confidence to explore their context—and seek new opportunities.