What we do -- The SABER Mentoring committee facilitates mentoring relationships among members through two programs - SABER Buddies and SABER Mentoring Groups. The SABER Buddies program is meant to promote a positive and impactful experience for those attending the SABER Annual Meeting. The SABER Mentoring groups meet regularly for one full year, centered around a topic. People in both groups are matched in terms of what they want to give and get from the group. Groups are structured to be collaborative, equitable, and inclusive with no leadership hierarchies. The goal is for member to get to know each other, learn, and have the opportunity to build a sense of community.

Who we are -- Co-Chairs Angela Kaczowka and Keenan Noyes

Announcements -- We are recruiting remote participants of the 2026 Annual Meeting to join SABER Buddies! See details and the sign up link below. 

Join the Mentoring Committee -- If you are interested in serving on the committee contact Angela Kaczowka or Keenan Noyes. 

The goal of this program is to help build community by connecting SABER members with one another at the Annual Meeting. Everyone is welcome to join the buddies program, and we especially encourage those who are new or new-ish to the SABER to participate. Participants will be matched into small groups consisting of both buddies and lead buddies (who serve as guides). These small groups will meet during the annual meeting to engage in casual discussions about the conference, biology education research, etc. Additionally, there will be an optional virtual pre-conference event prior to the conference where SABER Buddies will have a chance to meet others attending the annual meeting.

Questions? Please contact one of the Mentoring Committee co-chairs: Keenan Noyes (noyeskee@msu.edu) or Angela Kaczowka (akaczowka@arizona.edu).

Getting involved:

If you are interested in participating in the 2026 SABER buddies program, please complete the short Google form below. Participants will be matched into small groups based on their responses to this form. We need both buddies and lead buddies (who serve as guides), so please sign up if interested! The sign-up deadline for the 2026 Annual Meeting is Friday, June 26 to allow us time to form buddy groups based on your responses.

Sign-up link: https://forms.gle/TjLxhsAGyUCQXNn68

Timeline:

• Registration is now open for both buddies and lead buddies!

• Sign-up deadline: Friday, June 26, 2026

• Optional virtual pre-conference event Tuesday, July 7th, 2026 at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT