6.
How should the mentor and new faculty member be matched?
What is the role of a mentor in onboarding new faculty members? 7. When the mentoring role is focused primarily on the onboarding process, someone in an administrative position is likely to assign an experienced faculty member to mentor the new faculty member. This assignment should consider whether the pair have mutual professional interests and common goals, particularly related to their responsibilities within the school. Equally important is the ability on the part of both mentor and new faculty to be open and honest in their communication.
Mentoring roles can take many forms, but should include the following: § Discuss the plan for onboarding and the specific items on which the new faculty should focus. In the early days of the relationship, the pair may meet frequently (perhaps weekly) to clarify and reinforce the experiences of the new faculty member. Lunch or coffee is often an effective way to begin building a positive relationship.
§ Provide encouragement and positive feedback on an ongoing basis.
§ Use the mentor’s knowledge and experience to help the new faculty member understand how the school or department works.
§ Share knowledge of important professional events that the new faculty member should or might want to attend.
§ Help the new faculty to build a professional network in the school and in the discipline.
Effectively recruiting and onboarding new faculty is critical to the success of the faculty, students and the school or program itself. Paying close attention to the recruiting and onboarding processes is well worth the time spent in organizing and coordinating them, because it is likely to result in faculty who meet your needs and remain for long, productive careers in education.
5
Powered by FlippingBook