What is the Faculty Mentoring Program?

The Mentoring Process

New faculty members might feel alone and have

Signing up for the program

questions about their activities at the university.
The Faculty Mentoring Program was set up to support
professional development of new faculty members
though exchanges with experienced faculty members.
In the program, the new faculty member is called
the mentee and the faculty member who supports thementee is referred to as the mentor.
The benefits of mentoring programs, which are widelyused in universities and other organizations, have

Faculty members who have worked at the university lessthan three years can join at anytime. When signing up forthe program, faculty members provide information such as
when they have free time in their schedules and theirexpectations and hopes regarding the program.

Comments from the Mentees
We have received the following comments from mentees who
have taken part in the program:“I had a fixed-term contract and was worried aboutcareer development. The advice I received from mymentor was a major source of support. The interaction
with a trustworthy mentor made it possible for me tounreservedly pursue my own possibilities.”

Matching“I learned the difference between being a graduate
school student and university faculty member.
I received advice on how to interact with students asa teacher, which is quite different than interactingwith them as a senior classmate.”

An appropriate mentor is selected, taking into consideration
the desires and profile of the mentee. The mentor contacts
the mentee regarding the first meeting.

been acknowledged. The program is an importantFirst meeting

faculty development activity.

Nagoya University
Faculty Mentoring Program

During the first meeting, the mentor and mentee confirm
such matters as the goals of the mentoring activities andplans for meeting places and frequency of meetings.

Introducing your mentor

Regular activities
The two work out not only meeting details, but also otheractivities such as campus tours and observing classes.
The Program Office can also be consulted anytime.

Program Objectives
The following benefits for mentees are expected:• Having someone new faculty members can easily
turn to for advice related to work and daily life
• An opportunity to deepens their understanding ofthe university• Enabling new faculty members to acquire theknowledge and skills needed for teaching andresearch workFeedback
The results of the mentor activities are reported back to theProgram Office. The feedback details are used to improve
the program.
Mentees are faculty members who have worked at
the university less than three years.
It is expected that interaction with the mentor will help
the mentee grow as a university faculty member.

• Gaining an opportunity to think about careerdevelopment“My mentor took me to various events such as theMeidai Salon and seminars attended by faculty
members in various fields. I felt that the number of
my mentors grew five- to ten-fold. The faculty
members that I got to know introduced me to otherfaculty members my own age. This helped me
increase my acquaintances in very short time.”

How to apply
If you would like to make use of this program, please include thefollowing five pieces of information in the body of an e-mail andsend it to the address below. You should also state if you would
prefer a mentor of the same sex.
1. Name2. School/Institute/Center• Enabling new faculty members to create various
networks through their mentor
The Faculty Mentoring Program is also meaningful
for mentors. Exchanges with new faculty members
generate new ideas and energy and provide mentors
with an opportunity to review their own teaching andresearch experience and consider their future careers.

“I was allowed to observe my mentor’s classes.
This was a great help because I had no experience
being in charge of a class. It was very stimulating interms of learning how to create material andincorporate visuals.”

3. E-mail address
4. Hopes and expectations of the activities
Mentors are faculty members who have worked
at Nagoya University for at least five years.
They are expected to provide leadership and help thementee with understanding and support.

5. Days and times it is easy for you to find time to meet

Send the e-mail to:

Faculty Mentoring Program Office(Center for the Studies of Higher Education)

info@cshe.nagoya-u.ac.jp

Q&A
What type of people are mentors?
You will be introduced to a mentor who has a desire to help
the next generation of faculty members. Mentors conductthemselves in line with set guidelines so mentees do not need
to worry about mentors forcing their personal views on themor leaking personal information that comes up during thementoring activities. In the unlikely case that a mentee is notcompatible with his mentor, he can end the relationship at
anytime and there is no need to explain why. A new mentor
will be introduced if the mentee would like one.

Nagoya University
Faculty Mentoring Program

What type of advice do mentors give?

Introducing your mentor

The mentor talks about various issues including how to teachclasses, how to obtain research funds, how to build a career asa university faculty member, and how to balance life and work.
Mentees should not hesitate to talk about their problems withmentors and ask questions.

How often do we meet?
At the first meeting, mentees and mentors decide how often
they will meet, Many pairs meet once a month.

Are mentors the only people in this programproviding advice?
Senior faculty members of the school where a mentee works
are valuable colleagues who can provide detailed informationon the specialization of the mentee and his or her careerdevelopment. It is important for new faculty members toincrease the number of faculty members they can consult withindividually. The program is intended to supplement rather thanreplace this kind of natural connection.

Is consideration given to people who are not good attalking to people of the opposite sex?
If desired, people are introduced to a mentor of the same sex.
Some faculty members want a mentor who of the same sex
because they would like advice on balancing work withmarriage, childcare, and nursing, etc.

Center for the Studies of Higher Education,Nagoya University
Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601
Telephone: 052-789-5696 FAX: 052-789-5695
http://www.cshe.nagoya-u.ac.jp/
info@cshe.nagoya-u.ac.jp

Center for the Studies of Higher Education, Nagoya University