Faculty Peer Mentoring Program

Faculty Peer Mentoring Program 

Mentoring groups allow for consultation and sharing of perspective that can foster new collegial relationships, career planning, skills development and lead to opportunities to meet faculty from other departments or fields. Effective peer mentor groups often form around a particular goal—for example, to offer support, guidance or feedback on a research topic or skill, clinical practice, advising and mentoring of trainees, teaching skills, and also on topics related to work-life balance and integration, career directions, priorities, navigating Stanford, preparing for the promotion process, or support for faculty who are in formal leadership positions for the first time.  These groups are meant to enhance the experience of early-career support and not a substitute for the mentoring taking place in the department or the assigned senior mentor.

The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) is currently sponsoring groups up to 8 faculty.  Groups receive initial facilitation support.  As the year continues, the groups will be supported to self-manage with guidance from a peer facilitator who is a more senior faculty member.  Ellen Waxman and Rania Sanford in OAA, additional expert guests/mentors and other partners are available to the faculty based on topics of interest.

Testimonials

..."It has been helpful to hear that others struggle with some of the same issues that I do."

 

..."It has been wonderful to have a safe space to discuss our common concerns. The group was instrumental in junior faculty finding a common voice within our division."

Target audience:  Assistant Professors

Implementation Guidelines

  • Group members meet monthly for 1-1.5 hours and must agree to join the group and commit to attending the group meetings.  
  • Group members must adhere to professional conduct, including confidentiality.
  • The groups arrange their own meeting schedule and execute other logistical tasks related to costs, materials, room reservations (if any).