Each new, full-time faculty member is assigned a mentor and mentoring group outside their department or program
FMSI mentoring cohorts include 5-8 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 $1000*.
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
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