Tag: Mentoring Cohort

NORDP Mentoring Cohort Reflection (and a reminder to apply for the 2025-2026 mentoring program year!

Written by the Mentoring Committee Marketing and Communications sub-committee

Don’t miss out! Applications for the 2025–2026 NORDP Mentoring Program close this Friday, May 16. All NORDP members are encouraged to apply again this year as a mentor, mentee, or both—mentors are especially needed! This program offers invaluable opportunities for research development professionals to connect with experienced colleagues who volunteer their expertise and support. Participants can join repeatedly and choose between two matching options: the traditional 1:1 Dyad or the dynamic 1:3 Mentoring Cohort.

The program kicks off on July 1. Be sure to register by May 15 and mark your calendars for the NORDP Mentoring Program Orientation on Wednesday, June 25, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM ET. To inspire both new and returning participants, we’re excited to share insights from a 2024-2025 Mentoring Cohort, highlighting their motivations and appreciation for this unique format. Meet the cohort …

Susannah Acuff Imhoff

Susannah Acuff Imhoff (SAI) Susannah Acuff Imhoff manages Transcend Initiatives as Senior Associate Director of Research Development at Washington University in St. Louis, supporting interdisciplinary research networks and team science. Previously, she was Assistant Director of Research Development at Vanderbilt University, aiding faculty in strategy and proposal development. Her experience includes roles at the U.S. Pharmacopeia and in higher education, including teaching Cultural Anthropology. Susannah holds degrees from the University of Memphis.

Denise E. Wright

Denise E. Wright (DW) is a Research Development Officer at Emory University, focusing on mega proposals and strategic initiatives. Her background includes higher education publishing with significant project management and editorial experience. Denise earned a PhD in History from the University of Georgia and a BS in Political Science from Kennesaw State University. 

Gaelle F. Kolb

Gaelle F. Kolb (GK) is a Proposal Development Manager at the University of Maryland College Park, previously serving as Grants Development Specialist for Neuroscience and Cognitive Science. Earlier roles include positions at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Gaelle holds advanced degrees in Biology-Health from the University Victor Segalen in France and completed a postdoc at NIAID. 

Nicole M. Scott

Nicole M. Scott (NS) is a Research Project Manager at Iowa State University, contributing to the new ResearchPOST unit that supports project management. Prior to this, she managed projects on individual grants at the university. Nicole holds degrees in biology from Iowa State, primatology from Roehampton University, and cognitive science.

Q1: What influenced you to apply to be a mentor and a mentee for the NORDP Mentoring Program? Why did you choose the cohort mentoring model?

Denise Wright (DW): I applied to be a mentee because, having served as both a mentor and mentee in other professional capacities, I recognize the value of peer mentoring. In August 2023, I was new to research development. After enrolling in RD101, I began to understand just how much I did not know. A mentoring cohort seemed the obvious place to gain from others’ experiences.

Gaelle Kolb (GK): Being a mentor myself to students and professionals I met in my previous career, I realized the need to find a mentor and mentoring group in which we can bounce ideas about my current professional aspirations. RD being so broad and so broadly interpreted, I feel that a cohort model is better for hearing more diverse voices.

Nicole Scott (NS): Being newer to NORDP, I knew there was a wealth of knowledge out there I could tap into to learn about the field quicker than if I had tried to pick it all up as I went. Being part of a cohort modeling meant that instead of learning from one person, I could learn from 3! And they have taught me so much!

Susannah Acuff Inhoff (SAI): I applied to be a mentor in the hope that some of the experience that I’ve gained through my years in RD could be of service to others who may be facing similar encounters or circumstances, and with the expectation of gaining my own new insights and perspectives from collegial relationships in RD outside of my pre-existing university orbits. I was excited to learn that I’d be mentoring a cohort in partnership with three other people. 

Q2: Have you participated in a 1:1 mentoring model before? How has this experience been different or similar?

GK: Yes, I still meet regularly with my mentor who was my supervisor and retired a decade ago. Early on, our meetings were more focused on my career paths and professional preparation. Since our 1:1 mentoring has been ongoing for more than a decade, our relationship has evolved to share our passion for diverse cuisines. 

NS: In other organizations, I’ve been both a mentor and a mentee in a 1:1 model. Being part of a cohort meant that there was less pressure on me to drive the conversation and I got to hear multiple perspectives.

SAI: I have participated in 1:1 in other fields, and informally in RD. I found the cohort model to be more robust in terms of the full group (including the mentor) benefiting from shared discussion and ideas. Together, I felt we could solve or make headway on any challenge, even those that may have been outside of my direct experience. It also felt self-sustaining and truly more of a partnership. 

Q3: What was your favorite part about this cohort mentoring model? 

DW: My favorite part is the community we have created. The members of our group have different job titles and areas of interest/specialty, but all are generous, thoughtful professionals. During this particularly trying time for anyone involved in the research enterprise in the U.S., this group has been a place to share information, commiserate about challenges, and seek advice from a trusted circle. 

GK: Initially, I was fond of how different our professional roles looked. Now, after a few months, I really enjoy the natural way discussions pop up during our meetings. Our mentor is not directing any discussion with a set agenda allowing us to reflect and share in a natural way. I always look forward to our meetings!

NS: Getting to meet three fabulous people!

SAI: The camaraderie and sense that we are all checking in on and rooting for one another – and that every participant has incredible value to offer. 

Q4: How has participation in the NORDP Mentoring Program helped broaden your horizons about Research Development in general and/or affected your daily work in particular? 

DW: Because the members of our cohort have such varied specialties, I have a greater understanding of the diversity of roles within the research development community.

GK: It helped me make sense of why I felt that I was doing so many different jobs. I am also inspired by my mentor who shows great composure. I value my cohort very much as it opened my horizons on how much more we can do in RD and help shape my career ambitions.

NS: Participation in this group has broadened my horizons in RD by providing me with the space and access to others doing this work at other universities. There are so many ways to be successful in this area so hearing from others and how they are successful (or not) expands my toolbox and sparks new ideas.

SAI: I’ve applied much of my colleagues’ advice on everything from daily work-life balance to how to approach team science with different types of groups. It is confidence-building to realize that there is consensus on an approach because others have the same experience, for example, or to have access to a broader set of ideas on sensitive subjects that may relate to the profession but are too candid for certain professional forums outside of a mentoring relationship.

Q5: What surprised you about being a mentor or a mentee? 

DW: There were no real surprises other than the pleasant one of finding that my cohort fell rather quickly into comfortable conversations. 

GK: As a mentee, I am still learning and looking forward to learning more!

NS: I was surprised at how quickly we could fill an hour of conversation.

SAI: The reciprocal knowledge and friendship that grew naturally out of our shared support of one another. 

Q6: Any words of wisdom or encouragement for those wanting to apply this year? Any other thoughts you would like to share? 

DW: I would encourage anyone who, like me, is new to research development to join a mentoring cohort. By connecting with people outside your office and institution, you can begin to grasp just how multifaceted research development is. You’ll also develop professional relationships and may, if you’re as lucky as I have been, make some new friends.

GK: I would suggest a cohort model as it is professionally enriching to learn how RD looks at other institutions. I also like the geographic diversity of our group!

NS: My motto is “always learning.” There is always something new you can learn from someone else, no matter how experienced you are, and in mentor/mentee relationships that learning happens both ways.

SAI: I encourage folks to try, especially to try the cohort model! Your voice is needed. I think we all have a lot to offer that may not only be based on years of experience. Don’t hold back because there is a place for everyone. Those with a lot of RD experience can also benefit from participating in a cohort model as a mentee. It has enriched my professional experience. Through participation in our wider NORDP community, you will make it stronger and expand your own sense of purpose and place.

The 2025-26 NORDP Mentoring Program registration will close this Friday, May 16. Do not wait and complete your application today! Additional mentoring opportunities are available through the Peer Mentoring Groups that are open throughout the year via the WisdomShare platform.

An investment in mentoring is an investment in you!

NORDP Cohort Mentoring Group Reflection

The 2023-24 Mentoring Program started in July, with an expanded cohort mentoring program in its 2nd year running. The Cohort Mentoring Group consists of matching three mentees with similar interests with one shared mentor based on the WisdomShare matching algorithm. The Mentoring Committee made 31 Cohort Mentoring Groups matches this year, an astonishing increase from last year’s pilot of 10.

The Mentoring Committee is actively seeking new volunteers to run the various mentoring programs offered to all NORDP members! If you have benefited from the mentoring services in the past, we encourage you to consider getting involved as the committee work is largely driven by volunteers. To learn more, we welcome everyone to join us at the Mentoring Committee Open House on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 2pm Eastern. Register TODAY and/or email mentorprogram@nordp.org if you have any questions.

#PayItForward

Cohort Mentor:

Joanna Downer (JD) is Associate Dean for Research Development at Duke University School of Medicine. She previously worked in science writing and media relations at Duke and Johns Hopkins, has extensive experience in scientific editing, and is a Certified Professional Coach. Joanna holds an MA and PhD in nuclear chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis, and a BS with Honors in chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University. While in graduate school, she was a Mass Media Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Cohort Mentees:

Helena H. Fischer (HF) serves as Senior Grant Development Manager for the Alvarez School of Business at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She earned her Bachelors of Music Education from UTSA and taught choral music for a decade. She earned a Master’s degree in Education Leadership and Policy from the University of Texas at Austin where she developed her research interests in poverty in education. She currently attends St. Mary’s Law School. Her experiences as an educator, grant project director, student affairs professional, and law student inform her work.

Hailey LaVoy (HL) is Assistant Director for Humanities & Interdisciplinary Grant Support at Dartmouth College. She works closely with Dartmouth’s faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students in the Arts & Humanities and Interdisciplinary Divisions to identify and secure internal and external funding that will advance their research agendas. She holds a PhD in medieval studies from the University of Notre Dame.

Lindsay Ridpath (LR) is Program Manager for Industry Engagement for Research Development at the University of Arizona. She supports procurement of industry research sponsorships, collaborates with industry on federal proposals, and aids in securing student fellowships and internships. She uses her expertise in content creation for social media and web platforms to promote UArizona faculty, facilities, and other resources to potential collaborators. Lindsay has an MFA and holds a Certified Associate for Project Management (CAPM) status.

Q1: What influenced you to apply to be a mentor/mentee for the 2022-23 NORDP Mentoring Program? Why did you choose the cohort mentoring model?

HF: My dotted-line supervisor called me on my second day in my new role as Sr. Grant Development Manager. He suggested that I sign up and that the department would pay my membership fee.

HL: It was recommended by a former NORDP mentee whom I met at the NORDP conference in May. I’m new to research development, and it seemed like a great opportunity to learn more about the field. I preferred the cohort model to get more perspectives and to meet peers in varying stages of their RD careers.

LR: I’m new to Research Development. At the time I first applied to the cohort, I was working for our Foundation Relations department, which didn’t offer a lot of support or training and its team was very new. I had developed a relationship with one of the university’s Research Development members and explained my troubles, and she was nice enough to recommend NORDP. I chose the cohort model because I wanted a group to learn from, as well as others to fall back on. The cohort model relieved the pressure of maintaining a one-on-one commitment.

JD: I love helping others achieve their goals, and I could use the time saved from having finished my term on the NORDP Board of Directors to once again serve as a mentor. I offered to serve as either 1:1 or cohort mentor, and could be happier to have been placed with a cohort!

Q2: Have you participated in a 1:1 mentoring model before? How has this experience been different or similar?

HF: Yes, but it was far more organic. We would come with questions.

HL: Not formally.

LR: No, but I’d like to.

JD: I served as a 1:1 mentor in the 2022-2023 mentoring year, and had a great experience. As others have reported in previous mentor pair profiles, while I may have started as the mentor, by the time our year was drawing to a close, I was receiving as much mentoring as I was giving, which was great. We are continuing to meet and my 1:1 mentee also signed up again – the Mentoring Program is a great way to grow your network! And in the cohort this year, I love that each member has wisdom to offer. Sharing our paths, our challenges, our solutions also helps reassure all of us that we aren’t alone in whatever experiences or feelings we’re having!

Q3: What is your favorite part about this cohort mentoring model so far?

HF: Joanna is a great mentor. I appreciate her solutions and her deep listening. I also am learning so much from my cohort mates who are in new roles too and we are navigating together.

HL: Getting confidential support on a wide range of professional issues.

LR: The first cohort wasn’t very great. I don’t think our mentor was very engaged and a lot of the convening was initiated by myself. I’m really enjoying our second cohort, all members are more engaged, and we all have different roles within our organizations so I’m able to learn a lot more about their roles, leaving me feeling more well-rounded.

JD: I think the matching software did a great job!

Q4: How has your participation in the Mentoring Program so far helped broaden your horizons about Research Development in general and/or affected your daily work in particular?

HF: It has helped me understand that there is a wealth of resources for professionals

HL: It’s given me a broader perspective on RD-institutional context, helping me better understand what is particular to my department (personalities/politics) and what is considered standard across the professional field. To that end, as a newbie, it has decreased my anxiety about how I’m doing in my specific role. My own RD office is very small, so it has been informative to learn, by listening to my fellow mentees, about the varied types of roles that exist in RD, depending on the institution and its priorities.

LR: I’m realizing that it’s ok to come from an “unconventional” background as so many others do.

Q5: What has surprised you about being a mentor or a mentee so far? 

HL: That, in addition to learning from my mentor, that I would learn so much from my fellow mentees about professionalism, tenacity, courage, and the importance of mutual support!

LR: The field feels like it’s on the brink of exciting change and I’m happy to be part of it.

Q6: Any words of wisdom or encouragement for those wanting to apply next year? Any other thoughts you would like to share? 

HL: It is indeed a wonderful investment in your professional development and an opportunity to build relationships with colleagues whom you might not otherwise meet. I’m so grateful that this program exists.

LR: If the first year is a dud, apply again!

JD: Do it!

The 2023-24 NORDP Mentoring Program is now in full swing! Applications for the next cycle will open in the spring. Please keep an eye out for an announcement from the NORDP. Additional mentoring opportunities are available through the Peer Mentoring Groups that are open for participation throughout the year via the WisdomShare platform.

An investment in mentoring is an investment in you!