The mentoring aspect of the Alice Clark Program is fairly informal and flexible. Each program participant selects an experienced faculty member to serve as an informal mentor during the program year. The nature of the mentoring relationship varies depending upon the needs and interests of the new faculty member--teaching, scholarly/creative activity, balancing the workload, personal/family issues, etc.

To assist new faculty in selecting a mentor, the program will supply a list of experienced faculty who have expressed special interest in serving as mentors. However, participants may choose mentors who are not on the list.

Role of the Mentor

Mentors are more experienced faculty members who agree to offer collegial support for a an Alice Clark Program participant during the faculty member's first year. They may come from the same department as the new faculty member or from another department on campus.

Mentors are encouraged to meet regularly--at least once a month--with their "mentee" to establish and sustain a collegial relationship. In some cases, mentoring pairs choose to work together on projects, to visit each other's classes, or to attend campus events together. Nearly always, mentors report that they get as much out of the experience as the new faculty member.

Mentors do not receive any compensation for their work, nor do they attend monthly cohort meetings. However, they are invited to attend a special Mentors Lunch in January to discuss issues and questions that may have arisen. And they are also invited to join the new faculty for lunch at the November and May program meetings.

Mentor Orientation

Those who express interest in serving as mentors will be invited to take part in a special Mentor Orientation session held early in the Fall. At that session, we will hear from some recent program participants about what they gained (or hoped to gain) from the experience, and we'll share ideas and information of use to potential mentors.

In January of each year, those who are serving as mentors for the current group will be invited to meet to discuss questions and issues that have arisen. Mentors are also invited to lunch with the group at their November and May meetings.