Dear Faculty RelationsÌý–ÌýWhen I joined the faculty at ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder, I was assigned a mentor by my department, but although they were well-intentioned, they didn’t know how to provide the kind of support I needed as an early-career professor. Now that I have been here for several years, I want to be a mentor to others, but I’m not sure how best to support them. What advice do you have to be a great faculty mentor? – Want to Pay It ForwardÌýÌý
Dear Pay It Forward –Ìý Mentorship is a proven way to help faculty feel valued in our community and provides crucial support throughout their careers. We are grateful for the many wonderful mentors on campus! In Spring 2023, Faculty Affairs honored six faculty mentors with our first Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award, and here is what their mentees said made them stand out:ÌýÌý
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Demystifying university politics: Great mentors help faculty by sharing their institutional knowledge about university dynamics. This understanding helps their mentees navigate departmental and campus politics, the tenure process, and expectations of service commitments.ÌýÌýÌý
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Offering moral support: All faculty need space to be vulnerable about their challenges. Excellent mentors provide a judgment-free zone where their mentees can have honest conversations while also offering the opportunity to work through difficult situations together.ÌýÌý
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Giving career guidance: Mentors can help mentees set realistic goals, balance personal and professional lives, develop new skills, and provide feedback and support for their mentees’ work.ÌýÌý
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Providing practical advice: Having a shoulder to lean on is invaluable, but great mentors also give actionable advice within their area of expertise.ÌýÌý
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Making connections: Mentors who work in the same discipline as their mentees can influence their mentees’ career trajectory by introducing them to their professional networks, working with them on joint research projects or conference presentations, and encouraging them to take on leadership opportunities in their field.ÌýÌýÌý
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Promoting inclusivity: Faculty from marginalized groups in their field or the university face additional challenges. They greatly benefit from the advocacy and support of their mentors, which can be the deciding factor in that individual’s decision to remain at ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder or look for opportunities elsewhere.ÌýÌý
Being an outstanding mentor is a challenging task and comes with wonderful benefits. Mentors frequently report learning from their mentees, building meaningful relationships, and deriving great satisfaction by making a difference in someone else’s life.Ìý
Do you have a faculty mentor on campus who deserves recognition? Nominations for the AY 2023-24 award will open in February. Want to be a faculty mentor or mentee with someone outside your discipline? Applications open in the summer for the next academic year. Learn details through A¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉäMent.Ìý