Faculty Mentor Program
The Faculty Professional Development Program is committed to providing a supportive community for all faculty members at Northern Arizona University.
The Faculty Mentor Program fosters purposeful matches between faculty members, addressing these major goals:
- To promote an ongoing sense of community for faculty at NAU
- To invite feelings of collegiality and shared opportunities
- To encourage all faculty to achieve their full potential
- To assist new faculty in understanding university culture
- To offer support in the development of productive teaching and research agenda
- To create opportunities for maintaining a broad network of professional colleagues
Purposeful, mutually enriching matches will be made between faculty requesting mentoring and their experienced faculty mentors in the beginning of the fall semester or as requested during the year.
Mentoring pairs will:
- Complete a mentor orientation
- Meet throughout the academic year
- Commit to the program for one academic year
- Provide an evaluation of the program
Request a mentor Accordion Closed
The Faculty Mentor Program is for new faculty members as well as for faculty during periods of transition at various stages of their careers who are:
- Seeking support, guidance, collegiality, and friendship as they develop their careers at Northern Arizona University
- Committed to achieving their full potentials as teachers and researchers
- Interested in better understanding as well as shaping university culture
- Receiving mentorship from experienced faculty members who have significant expertise and experiences as well as joining a broad network of professional colleagues
Each faculty member requesting mentoring is paired with an experienced faculty member who shares her/his interests (usually from a different discipline).
The program includes:
- Regular meetings with a mentor throughout the academic year
- 1 academic year program commitment
- An evaluation of the program
Research has shown that participation in a formal mentorship program plays a significant role in faculty members’ sense of personal, social, and professional well-being. It is a “powerful predictor of ‘good starts’ for new faculty” as well as results in “more advanced professional skills, higher levels of research productivity, and greater career advancement” (Boice 2000).
Apply to be a mentor Accordion Closed
The Faculty Mentor Program seeks experienced faculty who are knowledgeable about the University to serve as mentors to other faculty for the upcoming academic year.
We seek mentors who are:
- Interested in supporting faculty as they develop their careers at Northern Arizona University
- Willing to share their expertise and experiences around teaching, research, and service
- Knowledgeable about NAU and committed to making our campus an inviting place for all faculty
The Faculty Professional Development Program provides mentors with:
- Program orientation
- Resources
- Guidance and support
Formal mentoring also delivers crucial benefits for senior faculty, revitalizing their approaches to their profession as well as harnessing their considerable expertise and experiences (George, 1997; Martin, 2002; Tauer, 2002).