Overview

The OFD encourages pre-tenure faculty to develop robust professional networks that include a variety of mentoring partners within and outside the UMass Amherst campus, and at a wide variety of career stages. This approach, which the OFD refers to as “Mutual Mentoring,” is based on the premise that the traditional mentoring model (i.e., top-down, one-on-one) does not necessarily fit all, and faculty should have access to funding and resources in order to proactively create the mentoring networks that best address their unique contexts and professional needs. The OFD supports mentoring through the following:

• Mellon Mutual Mentoring Grants: Funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, these grants are awarded to teams and individuals to support mentoring projects that demonstrate a wide range of mentoring forms – one-on-one; small and large group; peer and near-peer; cross-disciplinary; and intra- and inter-institutional. For more information on the concept of Mutual Mentoring and instructions on how to apply for grants, please visit our Mentoring Grant Guidelines.
• Opportunities for Expanding Mentoring Networks: The OFD offers a range of programming during the academic year, winter break and summer to help faculty build their professional networks and develop their careers as educators. For more information on these programs, as well as information on how to take advantage of mentoring opportunities across the Five Colleges, please visit Expanding Your Network.
• Highlighting Successes: Through its programming, the OFD has been pleased to identify numerous exemplary mentoring efforts. For more information about successful mentoring models and individuals on campus, please visit Mentoring Exemplars.
• Mentoring Resources: The OFD has written and compiled a number of resources to help faculty develop successful Mutual Mentoring networks. For more information, please visit Mentoring Resources.