Faculty Mentoring Program

Sponsored by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Faculty Mentoring Program (FMP) is part of OHIO’s ongoing investment in inclusive academic excellence. 

Program Benefits

The program facilitates a collaborative learning opportunity in which faculty can discover strategies on how to best meet specific goals. Faculty will participate in a community of learners that will enable them to network, support and learn from one another. Individual goals may vary considerably and could relate to involvement in research, teaching, publishing, grant-writing and community engagement. Mentoring partnerships may also extend to strategies for maintaining a functional work-life integration and trajectories in the academic journeys. Additionally, mentees will have the opportunity to access mini grants to further their teaching, service and scholarship activities. Essentially, a multicultural mentoring relationship can personalize and demystify the academic trajectories that lead to reappointment, promotion, and professional success.

Program Structure 

The structure of the FMP includes an emphasis on mutual mentoring in both larger and smaller groups as well as on the individual level.

FMP Roles

• Co-Directors - (faculty and administrators selected by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost)
• Faculty Mentees - (new to OHIO tenure track, instructional, visiting, and clinical faculty)
• Faculty Mentors - (established tenure track, instructional, visiting, and clinical faculty at OHIO)
• Lead Mentors - (faculty or administrators appointed from returning FMP faculty mentors who agree to serve as heads of their mentoring circles)
• Affiliate Mentors - (faculty or administrators who are unable to commit to serving throughout the entire program but are willing to meet with FMP mentees about specific topics)
• Affiliate Mentee - (faculty who have completed the FMP as a mentee and would still like to attend learning and development sessions, social and networking events, and have access to mentor interactions) 

FMP Program Elements

• FMP Group Learning Sessions and Mentoring Circles - (large group learning sessions with mentor/mentee breakout circles to support growth needs based on interest and affiliation)
• Individual Mentoring - (one-on-one sessions between mentors and mentees about specific topics)
• Development-Focused Sessions - (larger group session with mentor/mentee circles based on growth needs via faculty group)
• Community-Focused Sessions - (optional larger group session with other groups to increase networking opportunities)
• Resources - The FMP resources will include supplemental materials.
• Social Events - End of the semester and end of the year celebration

 2024-25 Meeting Dates

Fall 2024

• Monday, September 9_^th – 12 pm – 1:00 pm (Mentor Virtual Orientation MENTORS ONLY)
• Wednesday, September 18^_th — 4:15-5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 23_^rd — 4:15-5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 20_^th — 4:15-5:30 p.m.
• Fall Program Social — December — TBA

Spring 2025

• Wednesday, January 22_^nd — 4:15-5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 19_^th— 4:15-5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 19_^th— 4:15-5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 16_^th— 4:15-5:30 p.m.
• Spring Program Social — April — TBA

Time Commitment 

Over the academic year, mentors and mentees will meet and collaborate through confidential, respectful, and continuous relationships. With an in-person time commitment of around 10-12 hours each semester, we ask mentors and mentees to engage in opportunities including: 

• Mentors Only: One (1) virtual mentor onboarding session
• Three (3) large group programming sessions including small group breakouts (mentoring circles)
• One (1) development session
• One (1) community session in tandem with other OHIO faculty development programs
• One (1) social event at the end of the semester
• At least three (3) 30-minute on-on-one sessions with a specific mentor/mentee or affiliate mentor/mentee
• Monthly discussion questions to prime participants for the next month's sessions and events to maximize retention and application of the skills and knowledge learned.
• Completion of the end of session (Fall and Spring) satisfaction survey 

Potential FMP Topics

Potential topics addressed during the FMP include: 

Learning Workshops (based on personal goals):

• Balancing teaching with service and/or research obligations
• Work-life balance and wellness
• Meeting service or research requirements
• Planning service involvement or publications
• Participating in community-engaged activities and scholarship
• Identifying and applying for grant opportunities
• Strategizing about conference travel and presentations 

Co-Director Contact Information

For more information, contact Dwan Robinson, Ph.D. or Chris Fowler, Ph.D.