How Can I Be an Effective Mentor?

By Ken Alford, PhD LEARN THE PRINCIPLES OF MENTORING AND SEE THEM IN ACTION Just because people are experts in their fields, or really know how to handle themselves in the culture of higher education, doesn’t mean they have awareness about how to mentor junior faculty. In fact, that’s one of the greatest obstacles to establishing effective mentoring programs in colleges and universities. Learn the essential principles you need to know about mentoring in How Can I Be an Effective Mentor?, a Magna 20- Minute Mentor. Balancing theory and practice, this fast and focused session will show you how you can be an effective advisor and coach while meeting all your other responsibilities. LEARNING GOALS No one is born knowing how to mentor, but spending just 20 minutes with this content-rich presentation will provide you with an organized approach to coaching colleagues. You’ll learn the principles of mentoring and see them in action, all the way from just starting out to going through the tenure process. Guiding your mentee toward self-sufficiency and success is the goal, according to the program presenters. Setting your fellow faculty members up for rewarding careers is just as important as supporting your students. This practical program will give you the tools you need to steer your colleagues toward academic success— which benefits everyone. After participating in this program, you’ll be able to: Describe the basic principles of effective mentoring and recognize how these principles can be applied Design and operate a productive mentoring relationship Support a mentee through the five stages of development Assemble additional resources as you manage new mentoring situations TOPICS COVERED Mentoring junior faculty makes you part of the ongoing development of your department and institution. How Can I Be an Effective Mentor? will show you how to meet this important responsibility without shortchanging your life or career. Employing short, simple examples throughout their presentation, the presenters demonstrate a strategic approach to mentoring and help you see how it can function in your life. You can’t help your mentees if you don’t know what help they need. This program will show you how to start your mentoring relationship off on the right foot and carry it through to a successful conclusion. You’ll learn: What you and your mentee should establish from the start The most important thing to build with your mentee Helpful communication practices for mentors The three realms in which mentees need to achieve How to determine when your mentee needs additional help The best ways to support junior faculty through the tenure process TAKEAWAYS You’ll receive a list of recommended resources and discussion questions and a checklist for mentors, all designed to help you put your new knowledge to work.