NERCOMP Mentorship Program

Webinar Recording: An Introduction to the NERCOMP Mentorship Program

Overview

The NERCOMP Mentorship Program was developed in response to member interest expressed in a membership professional development survey conducted during the winter of 2021/2022.   The Mentorship Program aligns with our mission, offering members a platform to engage in ongoing learning and professional growth and highlighting our commitment to providing quality professional development opportunities and fostering a vibrant community of IT professionals.

The NERCOMP Mentorship Program aims to:

• Foster professional growth and learning opportunities for NERCOMP members.
• Create a supportive environment where members can gain valuable insights, enhance their skills, and build meaningful connections.
• Empower mentees to excel in their roles and contribute to the advancement of information technology in educational institutions by leveraging the collective expertise and experience of mentors.
• Provide members an opportunity to connect with mentors, access resources and support, and collaborate with peers who share their passion for information technology, teaching and learning, and/or libraries.
• Leverage the diverse knowledge and skills within the community to empower members and drive innovation in educational institutions across the NERCOMP region.

What makes a NERCOMP Mentorship unique?

The NERCOMP Mentorship Program offers two distinct options:

1. One-to-one mentorships
2. Small-group mentorships

Participants also benefit from some unique aspects the program offers, including:   

• Regionality
• EQ (Emotional Intelligence Components/Guiding Principles)
• Reverse Mentoring opportunities

Time commitment/Expectations:

• Varies from 1-3 hours per month 
• Meeting at least one time per month

 

One-to-one Mentorships

The one-to-one mentorship pairs a mentor, who is an experienced professional, with a mentee seeking guidance and support in their professional journey. This format allows for personalized attention and tailored guidance to address specific needs and goals.

Outcomes

Participants in the one-to-one mentorship program will see the following outcomes:

• Support outside of your organization within a regional framework
• Two-way ownership of the relationship 
• Relationship development for 3-6 months and beyond
• Development of emotional intelligence components 
• Gain knowledge of NERCOMP offerings

Roles & Responsibilities for Mentors:

• Maintain “grounding” in the relationship (professional/appropriate)
• Set boundaries re: expectations for engagements/relationship management/mentee progress
• Establish confidentiality
• Be present and authentic
• Attend and engage
• Make a commitment to the program
• Educate Mentee about Emotional Intelligence if applicable
• Educate Mentee about NERCOMP offerings if applicable
• Become familiar with the NERCOMP Mentor Resources and Toolbox
• Reciprocity:  Be open to learning from the Mentee

Apply to be a mentor

 

Roles & Responsibilities for Mentees:

• Build trust
• Establish a connection with Mentor
• Be intentional to get the most out of the experience
• Be open to experience and exploration
• Be present and authentic
• Attend and engage
• Be open to learning from your mentor; allow for a reciprocal relationship. It is bidirectional, not hierarchical or one-direction
• Initiate communication
• Ask for support; ask questions based on needs and interests
• Communicate in a way that best supports you
• Commitment and confidence – curious to make connections, confidence in own development, and be vulnerable

Apply to be a mentee

 

Small-group Mentorships 

Facilitated small-group mentorship settings bring together mentors and mentees with shared interests or focus areas, enabling them to collaborate, share knowledge, and learn from one another. This approach promotes peer learning and networking within the NERCOMP community.

 

Outcomes

Participants in the small-group mentorship program will see the following outcomes:

• Support outside of your organization within a regional framework
• Networking opportunities 
• Opportunities for collective wisdom
• Development of emotional intelligence components 
• Gain knowledge of NERCOMP offerings

 

Roles & Responsibilities for Mentors/Facilitators:

• Help everyone connect, engage, and participate
• The facilitator is a mentoring guide.
• Cultivate collaboration and create collective wisdom
• Facilitate technical and soft skill mentoring
• An opportunity to give back
• Establish engagement guidelines to encourage participation
• Educate Mentee about Emotional Intelligence if applicable
• Educate Mentee about NERCOMP offerings if applicable
• Become familiar with the NERCOMP Mentor Resources and Toolbox.
• Be open to learning from the group members/mentees

Apply to be a Small-group Mentor/Facilitator

 

Roles & Responsibilities for Small-Group Mentee/Participant:

• Build trust
• Be open to the experience
• Be present
• Attend and engage
• Reciprocity - mentor your peers
• Initiate communication
• Commit
• Communicate in a way that best supports them 
• Also, realize that each person communicates differently
• High level of curiosity, and interest in learning from others
• Follow rules of engagement, confidentiality 
• Follow the Rules of Engagement

Apply to be a small-group Mentee/participant

Training Dates:
One-to-One Mentors: Monday, October 2, 2023: 11:00 am-11:30 am
Small Group Facilitators, Monday, October 2, 2023, 11:30 am-12:00 pm

FAQ document for the Mentorship Program.