What Makes a Good Mentor?*

Good mentors are:

• Good listeners. They take time to understand what is going on with their mentees before they offer advice and information.
• Self-aware. They know what they can and cannot offer, and they note how their advice is being received by those they mentor.
• Flexible. They are willing to adjust to mentees’ needs.
• Good role models. They demonstrate effective academic practices.
• Transparent. They make their thinking explicit so mentees understand why they do what they do.
• Positive guides. They recognize and acknowledge the progress mentees make; they also provide constructive criticism and helpful advice. They strike the right balance between guidance, constructive criticism, and praise.
• Facilitators. They provide resources and help mentees connect to others who share their interests and can help them.
• People of integrity. They are honest in what they say and do and work for the good of those they mentor; they do not take advantage of the mentoring situation.
• Accessible. They are available to the faculty member being mentored.

*Based on material provided at an April 2010 mentoring workshop at UNC by Deborah DeZure, Assistant Provost for Faculty and Organizational Development, Michigan State University. Material adapted from J. Nakamura, D. Sheronoff, and C. Hooker (2009). Good Mentoring: Fostering Excellent Practice in Higher Education.