2004 

This paper describes two concurrent parallel processes: development of a mentoring relationship between doctoral student and dissertation chair, and movement of the student’s topic from loosely linked ideas to dissertation proposal. The following discussion is based on practical knowledge of dissertation requirements, and the authors’ personal experiences navigating the roles of mentor and/ or mentee. We are three women—two European Americans and one bi-ethnic woman of color—at different developmental levels; dissertation chair (first author), doctoral candidate approaching final defense (second author), and second year doctoral student (third author).