NERCOMP Mentorship Program

Fall 2024 Application Deadlines

Wednesday, September 18, 2024: Introduction to the NERCOMP Mentorship Program-Webinar

Friday, September 20, 2024:   Mentor and Small Group Facilitator Applications Due

Wednesday, September 25, 2024:  Mentee Applications Due

Thursday/Friday, September 26/27, 2024:  Mentorship Assignments Go Out

Monday, September 30, 2024
11:00 a.m. One-to-One Mentor Training
11:30 a.m. Small Group Mentor Training
1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Mentee Orientation

**Please note that participants may go through the program as many times as they would like either as a mentor, small group facilitator, or mentee.  We also encourage those who have gone through the program as a mentee to become a mentor or small group facilitator.

Overview

Winter/Spring 2024 Webinar Recording: An Introduction to the NERCOMP Mentorship Program

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

New for Fall 2024 (based on participant feedback):

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion components
• Work/Life Harmony and Well-Being
• An Optional Public Speaking webinar

Time commitment/Expectations:

• Varies from 1-3 hours per month 
• Meeting at least one time per month
• The length of the relationship is at least 3 months but can continue for longer based on mentee needs and schedule

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
• Commit 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

One-to-One Mentor Application (due Friday, September 20, 2024)

Roles & Responsibilities for Mentees:

• Build trust
• Establish a connection with the 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

One-to-One Mentee Application (due Wednesday, September 25, 2024) 

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

Small Group Facilitator Application (due Friday, September 20, 2024)

 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

Small Group Mentee Application (due by Wednesday, September 25, 2024)

FAQ document for the Mentorship Program.

 

Professional Development Sessions
*Optional, but encouraged professional development sessions to discuss with your mentors, small group facilitators, and/or mentees:

Public Speaking Webinar: Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

EQ Webinar: Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

Digital Well-Being Webinar: Thursday, November 7, 2024, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.