"I Couldn't Have Done This Without You": Encouraging Horizontal Mentoring in Graduate Degree Programs

Composition, rhetoric, and writing studies (CRWS) as a field has historically recognized the importance of mentoring for graduate students, but there can be a disconnect between learning theory and how mentoring occurs in practice. In this article, we argue for a more systematic approach to graduate student mentoring that recognizes the benefits of horizontal mentoring relationships. We draw on our own experiences, as well as scholarship in mentoring and learning, to demonstrate the crucial role that horizontal mentoring can play in supporting CRWS graduate students holistically. Ultimately, we offer strategies and ideas for faculty members to more effectively support graduate students as they cultivate this network of mentors while enrolled in graduate programs and courses.