Mentoring

Mentor/Mentee Form

Goals

The primary goal of the mentoring committee is to match mentors (SUOAF members who have been employed at the University for several years) with newly hired SUOAF minority employees in order to facilitate their professional growth and development and to help them in their acclimation to the University. Mentors are encouraged to maintain regular contact with their mentees. This contact includes both on and off-campus meetings. In addition, there is generally at least one on-campus group activity each semester, which includes all mentors, mentees and committee members. It is our belief that this mentoring relationship can assist new employees in their adjustment to the University, and can also provide a supportive environment for their professional development.

You can visit the Minority Directory to see the minority administrators, faculty and staff here at Eastern Connecticut State University.

Ten Tips for a Successful Mentor/Mentee Relationship

1. Keep communications open.
   • Mentee: Be up front. Let your mentor know what your goals are and what you hope to take away from the program.
   • Mentor: Help your mentee set realistic expectations. Also, if you know you will be unavailable because of business or personal travel, let them know.
2. Offer support.
   • Mentee: Remember that your mentor is there for you, but is only a guide.
   • Mentor: Encourage communication and participation. Help create a solid plan of action.
3. Define expectations.
   • Mentee:  Review your goals. Make sure your mentor knows what to expect from you.
   • Mentor: Help set up a system to measure achievement.
4. Maintain contact.
   • Mentee: Be polite and courteous. Keep up with your e-mails and ask questions.
   • Mentor: Respond to your e-mails. Answer questions and provide advice, resources and guidance when appropriate.
5. Be honest.
   • Mentee: Let your mentor know if you don’t understand something or have a differing opinion.
   • Mentor: Be truthful in your evaluations, but also be tactful.
6. Actively participate.
   • Mentee: Listen. Ask if you can observe your mentor’s practice if he/she is local.
   • Mentor: Engage in your own learning while you are mentoring, collaborate on projects, ask questions and experiment.
7. Be innovative and creative.
   • Mentee: Offer ideas on what activities and exercises you can do together.
   • Mentor: Share your ideas, give advice and be a resource for new ideas.
8. Get to know each other.
   • Mentee and Mentor: Remember that people come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Get to know each other on an individual basis.
9. Be reliable and consistent.
   • Mentee and Mentor: The more consistent you are, the more you will be trusted.
10. Stay positive!
    • Mentee: Remember that your mentor is offering feedback and not criticizing.
    • Mentor: Recognize the work the mentee has done and the progress made.