About the Program
CFE Peer Mentoring Circles bring together early-career faculty seeking peer support to develop holistic well-being and advance professional goals. The program encourages networking, community-building, and self-advocacy.
CFE Peer Mentoring Circles consist of monthly meetings facilitated by two experienced faculty mentors (one tenured, one fixed-term). Early-career faculty are grouped by shared goals and interests into interdisciplinary circles of 4-6 pre-tenure and fixed-term peers.
Circles follow a semi-structured curriculum related to early-career development. Each circle has flexibility to set their own discussion goals. A series of professional development workshops, hosted by the CFE, supports the Peer Mentoring Circles curriculum. Participants receive priority invitation to the workshops as well as online access workshop materials and other resources.
We invite experienced faculty (associate and full professor, tenured or fixed-term) to serve as Circles Mentors. Mentors are matched with a partner and guide monthly Circles discussions. The anticipated monthly time commitment for Mentors is about 2.5 hours (one circle meeting, one debrief). In addition, CFE offers ongoing support and development for Mentors, including:
- An orientation introducing the CFE Peer Mentoring Circles model, best facilitation practices, and preparation for the first circle meetings.
- Continuous access to facilitation guides, workshop materials, and other resources.
- Monthly mentor debriefs to share experiences, challenges, and prepare for circle meetings.
- Regular newsletter with updates, resources, and opportunities.
Who Should Apply
CFE Peer Mentoring Circles are open to all early-career faculty (assistant professor), whether pre-tenure or fixed-term. Experienced faculty, at the rank of either associate or full professor, are invited to serve as mentors.
How to Apply
Faculty can apply to either join or co-facilitate a Peer Mentoring Circle. Circles begin meeting in the fall semester.
Circles Discussion Topics
Circle 1: Establishing Group “Ground Rules,” Building Trust, and Communication
Circle 2: Taking Inventory of Existing Mentoring Support and Identifying Needs
Circle 3: Understanding Promotion and Tenure Requirements
Circle 4: Developing Professional Identity and Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Stereotype Threat
Circle 5: Negotiation and Communication Skills
Circle 6: Preparing for Departmental Faculty Annual Review
People
Joanna Foland
Program Lead and Faculty Development Consultant in Leadership and Mentoring
Center for Faculty Excellence
Erin Malloy
Director
Center for Faculty Excellence
Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Success
Office of Faculty Affairs
Contact
Contact Joanna Helene Foland, Faculty Development Consultant, or Tim Smith, Mentoring Program Coordinator, with questions or for more information.