Faculty Mentor Program

Program Overview

The purpose of the mentor program is to provide a one-on-one introduction to College of the Desert's campus community. This is a time for faculty to develop and strengthen active and/or collaborative learning methodologies, technology-assisted learning methodologies, and become actively engaged in college life, academic committees, curriculum development, and other teaching and service related obligations.

Faculty mentors are experienced teachers, who support a mentee’s professional goals. Mentors are professional, experienced educators, and involved in departmental and/or campus activities. They act as role models to their mentee as the mentee becomes socialized into the College of the Desert culture. It is preferable that mentors be tenured professors at College of the Desert. Mentors are the immediate support person for the mentee. Mentors act as confidants, advocates, and contact persons.

Program Requirements

• 1 academic year commitment from both the mentor and mentee
• Mentors and Mentees meet at least twice a month
• Mentors are required to complete the training course and all of the activities assigned by the faculty mentor program coordinator.
• Mentors and Mentees will attend orientation meetings at the beginning of the Fall Semester.
• Mentors and mentees will review the Mentor Program Handbook and sign a contract.
• Mentors will work with their mentees to develop professional goals to work on during their time together.  
• Mentors will guide, advise, and support new faculty to reach their professional goals. 

Program Activities

• Flex Week Kick Off Orientation
• Campus Tour
• Tenure Folder Preparation
• Classroom Observation and Feedback
• Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter Writing Workshop
• SLO and Assessment preparation
• Job Interview Workshop
• Mock Job Interviews
• PRU/PEP/PEPUP Workshop
• Committee Shadowing Activity
• Curriculum Preparation
• Faculty Development Activity

The program concludes with an end of the year lunch celebration, and all mentees receive a program completion certificate.

Program Goals

Mentorship programs attempt to address several types of common needs among new faculty, such as:

• Professional development
• Emotional support
• Intellectual community
• Role models
• Safe space
• Accountability
• Sponsorship
• Access to opportunities
• Substantive feedback

How the Process Works

Adjunct and new full-time faculty will receive an email welcoming them to the college and the Faculty Mentor Program. Faculty interested in the program connect with the Faculty Mentor Program Coordinator, who will arrange a meeting time and discuss interests and needs. 

The Faculty Mentor Program Coordinator will recruit mentors during the Spring and Summer semesters. Human Resources will put out a call. Mentees will be assigned to a mentor who is full-time tenured faculty member. 

Mentors and mentees will attend an orientation beginning of the Fall semester and meet regularly throughout the academic year.

Mentees will complete a professional growth plan indicating the goals they want to work on each semester.  Mentors will work with their mentees to identify needs to achieve goals. 

Mentors and mentees will complete applications, goals sheets, and program evaluations at the end of each semester. 

If you would like to participate in the Program

Mentors:

If you would like to apply to be a mentors:

Please be on the lookout for an email from Human Resource. You must be a tenured teaching or counseling faculty member at College of the Deserts. Mentors will get a $500 stipend each semester for their participation

Mentees:

If you would like to be a mentee, please click below. Mentees will receive flex credit and invaluable professional development for their participation.

Faculty Mentor Program Handbook

Please consult the Faculty Mentor Program Handbook for additional information.