Author: samarsg

Mentoring is a skill that becomes part of us as we grow in our careers. For some, it comes easily, but for everyone, it is a skill that can be taught, nurtured and blossomed with time and space. To help with this, the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) and the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) launched the Mentor training workshops. CIMER not only trains mentors, but also trains and certifies facilitators who can then facilitate the mentor training workshops and help shepherd a chain reaction to promote good mentoring practices far and wide. 

“The CIMER certification is another way to build capacity across the research enterprise. This training opportunity builds relationships and understanding of RD with our research leaders. Our faculty face unique challenges and mentoring offers solutions for a variety of situations. I also found the evidence base and evaluation model of CIMER to be both educational and innovative. We integrated some of the design concepts into our GRO Academy, a research leadership development program,” says Jeff Agnoli, from the Ohio State University. 

The CIMER-trained facilitators have to conduct a certain number of hours of training with a specific number of attendees to be identified by CIMER as a Certified Facilitator. Today, we shine a spotlight on some of these certified facilitators among our NORDP colleagues. Jeff is one of them!

Paula Carney, of Loyola University Chicago, who is one of the driving forces behind the Mentor training sessions offered by NORDP, has also connected NORDP to the development of faculty and trainees as researchers. She states that “NORDP is increasingly involved in national and international mentoring conversations. My involvement in these initiatives also lets me bring new ideas and opportunities back to NORDP, helping enrich our mentoring program activities.”

Etta Ward, of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, found her calling in mentoring. She credits becoming a Certified Facilitator with “what I have always called my purpose and calling to becoming an integral part of my professional identity and has opened a world of opportunities across sectors.”

CIMER has recently invited Paula, Etta, Jan Abramson, Kathryn Partlow and Tabitha Finch to support their mentor training sessions nationally. These training sessions are attended by researchers, trainees, faculty, research development professionals and administrators across universities. Tabitha feels the Certification gives her an “added level of confidence when I lead mentoring training, because I know my skills and experience have been vetted by the CIMER team.”

“When you become a Certified Facilitator with CIMER, you join a community that includes the best mentor trainers in the nation. It’s an honor to learn from them and have them be part of my network. I’m excited to continue my work as a Certified Facilitator and support infusing a culture of mentoring throughout the research enterprise,” says Kathy.

Please join us in recognizing and congratulating our fellow NORDP colleagues and the hard work they have put in to make mentoring a priority in their careers and across NORDP.

Written by Samarpita Sengupta

Welcome to the second installment of Mentoring Reflections! This time, we chatted with Eric Wayne Dickey who is at Western Oregon University and served as mentor to Jamie Burns at Arizona State University. 

A reminder that the NORDP Mentoring Program is open for applications; consider applying!

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• What influenced you to apply to be a mentor and a mentee for the 2020-21 NORDP Mentoring Program?

Eric: My previous institution had a job performance coaching program where I learned the value of mentoring as a mentee. I was then encouraged to become a mentor. I was a little reluctant at first but decided to ignore my own self-doubt. And I have never looked back. 

When I changed institutions, I was suddenly without a mentoring program, so I joined the NORDP Mentoring Program and now serve on the Mentoring Committee Leadership Team. 

Meeting with mentees inspires me. It takes a commitment to the self and a bravery to reach out for guidance. Mentoring reminds me to continue to develop my own professional self. I often joke with my mentees that by the end of our mentoring compact, it is they who will be mentoring and inspiring me. And so far, that has been true with every person I have mentored.

Jamie: Throughout my life and career, I have been very fortunate to have had incredible mentors. In realizing how these individuals have shaped my life, I was very intrigued when I learned of the NORDP mentoring program. I joined the program because I wanted to find a mentor within RD. I thought mentorship would help me gain better insight into the field and guide me on ways I can contribute to RD both inside and outside of my institution.

• What was your favorite part about your relationship?

Eric: My current mentee inspires me. She is driven. She is successful. Being with people like this is my favorite part of mentoring.

Another favorite part is the trust and confidence mentees have in me. It is a sacred agreement. It takes a leap of faith for mentees to reach out. Providing a safe space and confidential guidance are why I am there.

Jamie: I was very thankful for the openness of my mentor to listen and share. I wasn’t sure what to expect when the program began; but, I found that I not only gained a mentor, but an ally who listened to what I was thinking, helped me consider multiple perspectives and possibilities, and ultimately encouraged and supported the decisions I made. 

• What surprised you about being a mentor or a mentee?

Eric: I have mentored more than a dozen people. I thought I was alone out there in this crazy world. Alone with my self-doubt, with my imposter syndrome, and with my crazy notion to be a nice person that helps people. What surprised me most is learning how much need there is out there for positive role models and interactions. Some previous mentees have had some real challenges in their work environments, with their tasks and with their colleagues. Mentoring helps normalize things. We all face similar struggles. Helping people resolve their work-related issues is very rewarding.

Jamie: After hearing about the mentor/mentee program, I assumed the program would provide a strict structure to define the engagement. I was surprised that there wasn’t a set structure. Beyond the initial interactions with the NORDP member who coordinated and paired us, it was up to my mentor and me to determine what worked best for us. This flexibility was great as it allowed us to customize our interactions so that my mentor could help me achieve specific goals.

• How has participation in the Mentoring Program helped broaden your horizons about Research Development in general and/or affected your daily work in particular?

Eric: Mentoring colleagues has been a great way to help me better mentor the faculty I serve. It’s helped me improve my conversational and deep listening skills. Mentoring has helped me improve my own work environments and to better advocate for myself. It is a win-win-win, for the mentee, for the mentor, and for their institutions.

Jamie: It was a huge benefit to have mentorship from an RD professional at a different institution because my mentor could offer different perspectives about RD. By combining the best practices my mentor shared with me with the best practices I’ve learned from my mentors at ASU, I gained a broader understanding of RD. 

• Any words of wisdom or encouragement for those wanting to apply next year? Any other thoughts you would like to share? 

Eric: Don’t wait to become your best self. Start now.

Jamie: If you’re thinking about mentoring, I would recommend the NORDP Mentor Training program. My mentor encouraged me to attend this training, and it was a great experience! The program helped me develop the confidence to mentor in the future.

If you would like to share your mentoring story, please contact mentorprogram@nordp.org.

Applications for the 2021-2022 NORDP Mentoring Program are now open and will be accepted through June 7, 2021. 

As we approach a new year in the NORDP Mentoring program, we thought it might be beneficial for NORDP members contemplating becoming first-time Mentees or Mentors to hear from current participants in the program. With that in mind, the NORDP Mentoring Committee is pleased to share the inaugural installment in a series of “Mentoring Reflections” from mentoring dyads enrolled in the 2020-2021 NORDP Mentoring Program. The first of these dyads comprise members of the Mentoring Committee who agreed to share their insights. Mentors and mentees got together to talk about their experiences in the program and jointly wrote up responses to questions that were put to them.

The first in the series of Mentoring Reflections is from Carolynn Julien, who is the Associate Director, Office of Research Administration at Hunter College in The City University of New York, and her mentee, Faye Farmer, who is the Executive Director in the Office of VP Research Development at Arizona State University.

• What influenced you to apply to be a mentor and a mentee for the 2020-21 NORDP Mentoring Program?

We got to know each other in the exceptional mentor training program in 2020-2021. Interacting in the training program allowed us to gather some insights about our professions, talents, and abilities. During a breakout session, Faye heard Carolynn mention a project she was working on, and Faye wanted to start a similar project. Taking the initiative, Faye reached out to Carolynn to see if Carolynn could mentor her through the project and Carolynn willingly accepted. Being in the mentor training program allowed us to comprehend the possibilities of broadening our circle of mentors. Once the project is successfully completed, we will further share our experiences about the project and the process.

• What was your favorite part about your relationship?

We were both working on similar projects and used the mentoring relationship as a resource. We provide positive reinforcements and maintain regular check-ins that are easy and pressure free. What we learned during this relationship is that we are kindred spirits, and this also provided an opportunity for Carolynn to make a connection with NORDP and be of service to the organization.

• What surprised you about being a mentor or a mentee?

The powerful personal connections were a surprise. We both have served as mentors and have been mentees and know that this is not always the outcome. We know that this mentoring relationship will continue to be an ongoing relationship after the 2020-2021 mentoring program ends.

• How has participation in the Mentoring Program helped broaden your horizons about Research Development in general and/or affected your daily work in particular?

This program has taught us that it is crucial to recognize the qualities of people you need to enhance your journey as a RD professional. Our mentoring relationship has added depth to our lives by realizing the power of the RD network. The simple ask to be a mentor is an example of the power of the NORDP network.

• Any words of wisdom or encouragement for those wanting to apply next year? Any other thoughts you would like to share?

Please take the leap to be a mentor or mentee; the rewards in serving as either are abundant. Our second piece of advice is to be open to the full potential of the mentoring relationship and to be receptive to all of the possibilities.

If you would like to share your experiences as a mentoring dyad, please contact mentorprogram@nordp.org.

Applications for the NORDP Mentoring Program for the 2021-22 year will be opening soon. Watch this space for more information in the coming weeks!

Written by Samarpita Sengupta and C. Scott Balderson