Following Stephanie’s comment in the recent meeting’s notes, the Professional Development Committee discussed pursuing a mentor program. The idea was enthusiastically supported by all present, and I would like to move the idea into planning.
Defining Things
Right now, the main task for us is to codify what a mentoring program looks like.
- Who gets to be a mentee?
- Only “emerging professionals”?
- If defined by years, what’s the cutoff?
- How long is the commitment? 6 - 12 months was suggested.
- Who gets to be a mentor?
- Will there be an application?
- Are we vetting or screening this?
- Minimum number of years to be a mentor?
- What are the expectations?
- Frequency / duration of contact
- Personal / professional boundaries
Gauging Interest
We’ll need some way to get the names of folks who want to participate, either as mentor or mentee. Mentors are probably more important to have at the start, so that as potential mentees speak up, we’d have someone already available whom we could pair with them.
Messaging
As we develop the idea, we’ll want to think about who we reach out to and how. Can be figured out later. At minimum, can mention during webinars, post on forum, include in ILGISA email blast.
Working Group?
A focused, long-term effort like this could be the focus of a specific working group[1] as opposed to the committee as a whole. As chair, I’d like to remain involved, but I am more than happy to let someone else drive the bus if they feel strongly about the topic. @prof-dev Any takers?
Timeline
Tentatively, I’d like something in place by May 2026. I think the timing would work well with new students entering the field, and there’s usually a regional meeting in May / June we could use for some in-person messaging.
If we can get things pretty well defined before spring, then start building a list of available mentors by by May, I think we’d be in good shape.
Working groups can be created / dissolved by a committee however they like, it doesn’t require any formal action. ↩︎