Author Description

The purpose of this study was to explore and evaluate the extent to which a formal mentoring relationship could transition into an informal mentoring relationship after geographically separating a formal mentor-protege dyad. This study also explored the moderating effects of individual communication media(i.e., e-amil, telephone, written correspondence, and face-to-face) on the relationship between duration of separation and percieved mentoring effectiveness. Data were collected from 283 military graduate students attending an 18-month graduate program. The results of this research revealed protege perceptions of mentoring relationships were capable of transitioning into informal mentoring relationships.