Mentoring Faculty Colleagues: A Grounding in Best Practices

Facilitated by the Office of Faculty Development and ADVANCE 

Research has shown that good mentorship is a key component of faculty well-being and success in academia. Mentoring also builds collegiality and robust community. Whether formally or informally, as a faculty member or librarian, we are all models or mentors for our colleagues, especially those new to their role or to UMass Amherst. While what makes a good mentoring relationship can seem idiosyncratic and elusive, in fact there are many tried and true skills that can help you navigate this important role and service. This workshop will facilitate learning current best practices in mentoring faculty, building on training developed by the National Research Mentoring Network, through the examination of case studies, group work, and reflection exercises. Lunch will be provided.  

(Please note, this workshop is for those mentoring faculty and will not cover faculty mentoring graduate student researchers or other students. For more information on that topic, please visit the Graduate School's webpage.)

Topics covered: 

• How to maintain effective communication through understanding communication styles 
• Equity and inclusion and their influence on mentor-mentee interactions 
• Fostering independence and building community 
• Promoting healthy time-management skills for balancing faculty workload and harmonizing work with your life 

Facilitators: 

• Joya Misra, Distinguished Professor of Sociology & Public Policy 
• Elisa Martinez, ADVANCE Postdoctoral Research Associate 
• Leyla Keough-Hameed, Director of Faculty Development and Lecturer