1. Mentoring in Departments
Share departmental mentoring plan with new colleagues.
Discuss department’s expectations in regard to research, teaching, and service at Amherst, and the expectations of the field.
Determine which department member(s) will be designated mentors.
Remind senior colleagues about scheduling class visits. Some departments do not have class visits until the second semester.
Remind senior colleagues that it is helpful if new colleagues are invited to attend their classes.
Ensure that new colleagues know when department members will visit classes and that colleagues meet before and after each classroom observation to discuss the visit.
Explain the role of the annual conversation in discussing progress toward tenure.
Discuss the role of co-teaching, if possible, as a form of mentoring.
Explain the department’s role in the reappointment and tenure processes.
2. Discuss Resources Offered by the College
Note the following opportunities that are available to colleagues:
Orientation events for new faculty;
Teaching and professional development workshops;
Teaching consultations through the
Center for Teaching and Learning;
Instructional support available through the
instructional librarians, the
Writing Center, the
Moss Quantitative Center, and the
Center for Community Engagement;
Services offered by the
Office of Sponsored Research and Foundation Relations;
Funding for speakers;
Funding to help faculty get to know their students
Five College seminars;
Academic interns; and
Book workshops (after first year at the college).
Explain processes around reimbursement for travel/start-up funds.
Explain how to order materials for the library.
Explain how to get equipment and support from information technology staff.
3. Mentoring Beyond the Department
Explain the role of the college’s faculty diversity and inclusion officers.
Explain the college’s External Mentor Program (available after the first year at Amherst).
Make sure that the colleague is receiving emails from the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity; (NCFDD).
Make sure that new colleagues know about the “boot camps” offered through the NCFDD.
Introduce colleagues to the NCFDD Mentoring Map.
Explain the importance of thinking about development in the profession.
Mutual Mentoring
Remind colleagues about Faculty Mentoring options.
