Northwestern supports the cultivation of a community of individuals dedicated to excellence in mentoring and who help others become effective mentors and mentees at Northwestern University.
Effective mentoring practices are necessary to build a welcoming, supportive community; to attract, retain and develop talented scholars; and to contribute to an institutional culture that prioritizes well-being and scholarly growth.
Four core Foundational Principles of Mentoring Practice were developed by the Provost’s Office Mentoring Council, a group composed of faculty from across the schools. These principles are: intentional, welcoming, relational and holistic.
Departments can both cultivate informal mentoring and develop formal mentoring programs that foster promotion, retention and career success for faculty.
There are many resources available to enhance mentoring practices, including sample compacts and other tools designed to foster effective mentoring relationships. These resources are free and available to mentors, mentees, and others who are interested in designing a formal faculty mentoring program.