The Mentoring Program
CTLE offers comprehensive onboarding for new faculty members, which begins with orientation on campus, where faculty can network, receive training on procedures, and meet key members of the administration. This is followed by extended mentoring support.
Program Goals
The goals of the new faculty mentoring program via The Center for Teaching and Learning Enhancement are to support new faculty members (experienced and inexperienced) at Lamar University; familiarize them with university expectations, practices, and resources; maximize satisfaction, productivity, and retention; and increase motivation and collegiality across campus.
Why Mentor?
A good mentor can help the mentee become more effective at work, learn new skills, develop greater confidence, and make better decisions for their overall career growth.
- New faculty members will be paired with more senior faculty members
- All new faculty will participate in the Mentoring Program
- Other faculty who are not new to Lamar University may also request a mentor
- The structured relationship will last at least two semesters. After the end of the second semester the mentor/mentee(s) can decide to continue, change, or terminate the relationship.
- Mentors and mentees may meet as a group each term
- If the mentor or mentee wishes to terminate the relationship, they should approach the CTLE to resolve the situation
Expectations
For Mentors
- Initiate and maintain regular contact with mentee
- Meet with mentee at least three times per semester. In-person contact is preferred, but phone or electronic contact methods are acceptable. At least one meeting each semester should be in person.
- Be open to making time for meeting with mentee, offering feedback and advice
- Keep the specifics of conversations with mentee confidential from other faculty
- Keep the relationship with the mentee open and professional
- Attend any group meetings of the Mentoring Program
- Commit to being a mentor for at least two semesters (Fall/Spring), and be willing to extend the commitment as agreed with mentee
- Evaluate experience in a reflection at the end of the year
- Alert the CTLE of any problems in the relationship with the mentee
For Mentees
- Maintain regular contact with the mentor
- Meet with the mentor at least three times each semester. In-person contact is preferred, but phone or electronic contact methods are acceptable. At least one meeting each semester should be in person.
- Share concerns, questions, and plans with mentor
- Keep relationship with mentor open and professional
- Keep the specifics of conversations with the mentor confidential from other faculty
- Attend any group meetings of the mentoring program
- Commit to being a mentee for at least two semesters and be willing to extend the commitment as agreed with the mentor
- Evaluate the experience via reflection at the end of the year
- Alert the CTLE of any problems in the relationship with the mentor
For CTLE
- Outline program and implement directives
- Select mentors
- Be available for mentoring questions, resolution of problems
- Meet with mentees as requested
- Meet with mentors as requested
- Host/Attend any Mentoring Program group meetings
- Collect experience reflections at end of year
- Report any outcomes/recommendations (de-identified) to the Provost Office for future development and improvements
Note that any needs not met through the programs above may be captured in our CTLE university events. To request assistance for any unmet needs, write dept_CTLE@lamar.edu.
Have Questions?
CTLE support is available 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. We are committed to the highest ideals of confidentiality in all matters.
Ashley L. Dockens | Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Enhancement
For questions about the CTLE: dept_CTLE@lamar.edu
For questions about Blackboard: blackboard@lamar.edu