Faculty near-peer mentoring exchange for early career faculty

Session Time and Location

Date:
Fri, 8 Jun 2018
Time:
Time:
8:00am to 9:30am
Room: Room:
Advance HE Pre-function Area
Session Track
  • Faculty and Staff Professional Development
Session Format
  • Poster

Speaker(s)

Laurel Willingham-McLain

This poster outlines the program design and researched benefits of a university-wide, group-based, near-peer faculty mentoring exchange.  We facilitate peer leadership by early career faculty who have just succeeded at the steps incoming faculty face.  Often overlooked, recently hired tenure stream and non-tenure stream faculty, alike, play a significant role in shaping university culture.  Robust themes from six focus groups reveal interrelated benefits: connection, broadened university perspectives, safety and support, reciprocal mentoring, and shared experiences despite different disciplinary homes.  Participants state that the group members’ varied disciplines and experience levels are key features.  They also note challenges and articulate solutions.

  • Session References +

    Beach, A. L., Sorcinelli, M. D., Austin, A. E., & Rivard, J. K. (2016). Faculty development in the age of evidence: Current practices, future imperatives. Stylus.

    Cunningham, K.D. (2014). Full-time non-tenure track faculty: Identity and departmental perspectives. Dissertation. University of Kentucky.  http://uknowledge.uky.edu/edp_etds/27

    Kezar, A., & Maxey, D. (2013). Dispelling the myths: Locating the resources needed to support non-tenure-track faculty. The Delphi Project on the Changing Faculty and Student Success.

    Margolis, J. (2008). When teachers face teachers: Listening to the resource “right down the hall.” Teaching Education, 19(4), 293-310.

    Morgan, S. (2014). Mentoring and support for new faculty: Enhancing social capital using communities of practice.  Learning Communities Journal, 6, 75-92.

    Rockquemore, K. A. (October 3, 2011)  Don’t talk about mentoring.  Inside Higher ED Career Advice.  https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/mentoring/debut_of_new_column_on_mentoring_in_higher_education_careers

    Rice, R.E., Sorcinelli, M.D., Austin, A.E. 2000. Heeding New Voices: Academic Careers for a New Generation. Washington, D.C.: American Association for Higher Education.

    Sorcinelli, M.D. 2000. Principles of Good Practice: Supporting Early Career Faculty. Washington, D.C.: American Association of Higher Education.