C. Luz 11-29-10
ADAPP
University Wide Mentor Initiatives – Best Practices from Other Institutionsi
The success of mentor programs at the unit level is strengthened by having a university-wide
statement or policy on mentoring, one that provides both expectations as well as an array of
resources to help units in their mentoring efforts. The following is a compilation of strategies
practiced and endorsed by multiple other universities.
Communication
1. Provost Statement or University Statement on Mentoring from the Office of the Provost –
visible on provost website and broadcast in multiple ways. Add abbreviated version to the
University faculty handbook. The statement should detail University expectations for
mentoring.
2. Person designated at University level to coordinate and communicate a University Mentor
Program
3. A link on the Provost’s website homepage to “Faculty Mentoring” directing people to a page
with a bold heading: Faculty Mentoring: Office of the Provost and featuring a menu of all
resources.
4. University wide Mentor Newsletter: one issue per semester with links to all colleges
Programs and Resources
1. University sponsored workshops related to mentoring thru F&OD (or related support unit)
including regularly scheduled training on how to be an effective mentor, which colleges could
require prior to mentoring.
2. Mentor Toolkit including University Wide Mentor Handbook – complete array of resources for
mentors, mentees, and units wishing to establish or improve mentoring programs – all
compiled in one location, in e-form, downloadable, from the Provost’s mentor webpage
3. Mentor Advising Service to assist units who want to set up or improve mentoring programs
4. Mentor Locator/Matching Service to help units or faculty find mentors outside of their own unit
5. Provost convenes a panel of seasoned faculty mentors to discuss best practices
6. Provost hosts a meeting twice per year with cohort of all new faculty and their mentors
7. Provost sponsored social events for mentors/mentees once per semester
8. Senior Faculty Advisors
C. Luz 11-29-10
ADAPP
9. Mentor Program Start-up Fund: one-time only assistance to set up college-level program. This
could support an array of activities proposed by the college including partial salary support for
one year for a designated point person responsible for setting up and overseeing the program;
honorariums for visiting speakers; establishing a college level distinguished Mentor Award with
a monetary bonus; nominal stipends to mentors for one year; printing of materials; etc
10. Provost Fellows Program [Emerging Faculty Program]: Assist individuals or units in establishing
an emerging faculty relationship or program. Provide advising, endorsement, and monetary
support for travel to Mentor’s institution, visit to MSU by Mentor, and attendance at one
conference
11. Provost Leadership Institute – to help emerging leaders develop skills to serve as deans and
chairs
12. University sponsored Faculty Learning Circles or Mentoring Circles
13. University sponsored Teaching Partners Program: Master teachers assigned as Mentors to 2-3
tenure eligible faculty
14. University sponsored Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program, coordinated by Provost’s office. Goal:
enable small groups of new faculty to meet and network with peers across the college. Each
participating college would have Peer Mentoring Coordinator who would work with University
Coordinator.
15. University support of informal mentoring programs coordinated by WRC or individual
colleges/units
Recognition
1. Offer Mentor incentives: At minimum, ensure that it is recognized as service and contributes to
Mentor’s annual review. [will provide list of informal incentive ideas]
2. University Award for Distinguished Mentor
3. Provost sends personal thank you notes to formal mentors that are copied to their deans and
chairs and can be included in their portfolios.
Accountability
1. Annual evaluation of all college and department mentoring programs. This could be as simple
as requesting each new faculty member, and their mentor, to complete a confidential survey
annually and/or hosting annual provost sponsored mentor focus groups to generate new ideas
on how to improve mentoring activity and resources.
C. Luz 11-29-10
ADAPP
2. Provide assistance to colleges/units to conduct more in-depth, internal evaluations of their
programs.
3. Maintain listing of all colleges/departments and which ones do and don’t have a mentoring
program. Post this listing on the Provost website.
i
These best practices were drawn from model mentoring activities at multiple universities including:
Duke University: http://www.provost.duke.edu/policies/Faculty_Mentoring_Initiative.htm
University of Pennsylvania: http://www.upenn.edu/provost/mentoring
University of Michigan: http://www.provost.umich.edu/mentoring/index.html
Washington State University: http://provost.wsu.edu/faculty_mentoring/guidelines.html
Kansas State University: http://www.k-state.edu/provost/academic/reports/mentor.pdf
University of Wisconsin: www.provost.wisc.edu/women/mentor.html
University of Rhode Island: http://www.uri.edu/advance/faculty_development/mentoring_proposal.html