Guidance Council: UWG Program Empowers Faculty Through Mentorships

by Julie Lineback

August 27, 2024

With a Pack that is nearly 700 faculty strong, UWG isn't just a first-choice university for students. It's a collaborative and supportive environment for academics from around the world.

And thanks to the University of West Georgia Institute for Faculty Excellence's mentorship program, it's now even easier for new faculty members to learn the ways of the Wolf from their more seasoned colleagues.

"UWG's faculty mentorship program aims to foster career and interpersonal success as well as a sense of belonging for faculty across campus," said Lisa Connell, mentoring fellow and professor of French. "It is designed not only to support new faculty as they transition to life at UWG, but also provide professional development opportunities for established faculty through a range of activities focused on the scholarship and best practices in mentorship."

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Deans and chairs will determine the criteria for selecting mentors and how mentors are paired with mentees. The IFE will offer training for mentors and provide support and guidance throughout the academic year for mentors and mentees. All colleges are responsible for adhering to the following framework:

1. Mentor Training Workshop: Mentors will attend a mentor training workshop at the beginning of the fall semester. At this IFE-facilitated workshop, participants will learn about principles and best practices for effective mentoring.
2. Regular Mentor/Mentee Meetings: The mentor and mentee will schedule three monthly meetings for the fall semester and three monthly meetings for the spring semester. These meetings are mentee-driven and offer opportunities to discuss the mentee’s areas of interest and need. Mentees should provide their mentors advance notice of the topics they’d like to address.
   
   The mentor will be responsible for documenting the meetings by reporting the date of the meeting and a broad overview of the topic to the IFE (e.g. 10/03/2024; Third Year Review).
   
   Note: The IFE will not be privy to any of the content of the meetings unless the mentor and mentee agree to seek the IFE’s support. Any consultations with the IFE will remain strictly confidential.
3. Teaching Observation: Once during the fall semester, the mentor will observe a class taught by the mentee and write a brief observation narrative. If the mentee teaches online only, the mentor will consult with the mentee to observe a specific component of the mentee's course, such as a specific module of content with corresponding activities. The mentor will document the observation on the Mentoring Reporting Qualtrics form.
   
   Note: The IFE will not be privy to the observation narrative unless the mentor and mentee agree to seek the IFE’s support. Any consultations with the IFE will remain strictly confidential.

benefits for Mentees

• Enhanced institutional and departmental knowledge
• Enhanced access to skill-building resources
• Clear sense of professional goals and timelines
• Increased confidence and sense of belonging
• Enhanced productivity for professional outcomes (teaching, scholarship, grants, publications, and education)
• Organizational and external recognition

benefits for Mentors

• Increased job satisfaction
• Strengthening of the program, department, and/or college
• Investment in mentee’s career as part of a legacy
• Increased collaboration (within the department, institution, and external organizations)
• Exposure to new ideas and opportunities for continuous growth
• Organizational and external recognition
• Increased retention and stability within the department

benefits for UWG

• Teaching, learning, and student success
• Increased faculty promotions
• Increased scholarly activity (research, grants, publications, conference presentations, etc.)
• Increased faculty retention
• Increased hires
• Decreased faculty attrition