Each new, full-time faculty member is assigned a mentor and mentoring group outside their department or program
FMSI mentoring cohorts include 4-7 new faculty, plus the mentor
Interested mentors are accepted on a rolling basis
FMSI and mentees are assigned by the Dean’s Office according to rank not discipline (for example, new Teaching Faculty (FT) are grouped with other new TF and their group mentor is a senior-level TF member; Assistant Professors are grouped with Assistant Professors and mentored by a tenured professor; Visiting Assistant Professors (VAPs) are grouped with other VAPs).
FMSI mentors can serve for a maximum of two consecutive years and may serve again after a 12-month break. FMSI mentors receive $1,250*.
Guidelines for the FMSI Program
Guiding principles
The FMSI program is not designed to support mentees with discipline-specific issues (for example, direction or methodology of research, or discipline-specific questions about teaching). New faculty should reach out to their departmental or program mentor for that kind of advice. The A&S mentoring program is designed to give more general support to mentees (e.g., W&M procedures and policies pertaining to their specific rank). It also provides them with a resource outside their own department, introduces them to faculty across a range of disciplines, and – for the VAPs – connects them with other people who are also engaged in looking to careers beyond W&M for advice and support.
All discussions are confidential and no records are kept unless the group requests otherwise
Meetings can take place in any location, on or off campus, depending on preference of the group, though groups are encouraged to make their meetings informal.
The mentor is a supportive resource but cannot guarantee the professional success of the mentees
While meeting norms are determined by and will vary across mentoring cohorts, each group should aim to meet at least twice a semester and individual mentor-mentee check-ins should occur at least once a semester (format flexible).
Meetings after the Thanksgiving break and in April should only be scheduled if the group agrees that they have the time to meet during this busy time of the semester.
Mentors might consider holding “office hours” (perhaps once a month) when mentees can come by to the mentor’s office or another location (e.g., happy hour). If group sessions are not attracting much interest, an “office hours” approach might be an alternative approach for engagement.
The mentoring groups are active only during the first year of the new faculty’s appointment at W&M.
Training
A&S holds a training session for all FMSI mentors and distributes a handout for mentors outlining expectations for the FMSI program. There are mid-semester meetings with mentors to check in on how it’s going.
Advice for Mentees
Mentees are encouraged to share successes, and ask for advice – especially on issues such as career development, syllabus construction, grading, professional development funding, etc.
Informal, mutual classroom observations of mentees are encouraged (though not required)
Mentees may also request an informal or formal classroom observation by the mentor (see above)
A mentee may reach out to their group mentor at any time for individual advice or support
Mentees should feel free to reach out to colleagues in addition to the formal mentor for advice and support
If the mentee wishes to request a change of mentoring group, they should approach their Chair/Director, who will talk to the appropriate Vice-Dean
Effective engagement in the program involves:
commitment to attending meetings and to engaging fully in the mentoring relationship
to the best of your ability, following through on agreed-upon goals
careful and active listening, including with other mentees
reaching out to your mentor when you need support
Mid-Career Program (FMSI-MC)
Purpose
The Faculty Mentoring & Success Initiative Mid-Career Program (FMSI-MC) aims to enhance the career success of associate professors who are getting ready for promotion by offering targeted, collegial mentoring opportunities and resources.
Participation
The FMSI-MC program is open to any associate professors – either tenured or teaching professors – in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS).
Current CAS full professors, some of whom have served on the Retention, Promotion, and Tenure Committee in the past, serve as mentors for FMSI-MC.
A general call for FMSI-MC mentors will occur on a rolling basis.
In addition to FMSI-MC mentors, the College of Arts & Sciences provides a list of former members of RPT who serve as promotion dossier peer partners for associate tenured professors preparing to go up for full. The peer partners list will be updated every two years.
FMSI-MC mentors will convene two group workshops a semester, and individual check-ins should occur at least once a year (format flexible).
FMSI-MC mentors can serve for a maximum of two consecutive years and may serve again after a 12-month break. FMSI-MC mentors will receive a $1000 annual stipend paid out at the end of the pilot period (Spring 2027).
Guidelines for the FMSI-Mid-Career Program
The FMSI-MC program is not designed to support mentees with discipline-specific issues (for example, the direction or methodology of research or discipline-specific questions about teaching). Associate professors should reach out to their departmental or program full professor mentor for that kind of advice. The A&S mentoring program is designed to give more general support to mentees (e.g., W&M procedures and policies pertaining to their specific rank).
All discussions are confidential, and no records are kept.
The dean’s office provides logistical support for FMSI-MC workshops per semester, and mentors are responsible for arranging for individual support sessions with mentees.
The mentor is a supportive resource but cannot guarantee the professional success of the mentees.
Training & Assessment
The College of Arts & Sciences will hold a training meeting for all FMSI-MC mentors to cover expectations for the FMSI-MC program and tips for success.
There will also be a brief mid-semester check-in with participants (mentees and mentors) to check in on how it’s going.
A formal program assessment is completed on an annual basis.
FMSI-MC Session 2B Reenergizing Research & Scholarly Identity
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