Applications are now open for the Vanderbilt Staff Mentorship Program. The program is among the recommendations coming out of the Future of Work initiative with support from the University Staff Advisory Council and the Staff Women’s Advancement and Equity Council.
Mentoring programs provide numerous benefits for mentors, mentees and organizations, said Krystal Clark, co-chair of the mentorship program and director of Employee Learning and Engagement, Human Resources.
“The benefits include increased employee engagement and retention; positive contributions toward equity, diversity and inclusion efforts; and support for personal and professional development,” Clark said. “In addition, mentoring programs can improve workplace culture, career growth and succession planning, and promotion of collaboration and teamwork.”
The goals of the Vanderbilt Staff Mentorship Program are to:
- foster the professional and career growth of employees;
- spark connections and offer access to potential mentors while also fostering a sense of connectedness, community and belonging;
- create an opportunity for mentoring relationships to grow organically; and
- begin to foster a culture of ongoing mentorship throughout the university.
The Vanderbilt Staff Mentorship Program is designed to spark organic mentoring relationships with a focus on connecting mentors and mentees. Each mentee will be able to meet with up to two different mentors. The expectation is that these are one-time mentoring conversations, providing opportunities to discuss career and professional growth one on one. Longer-term mentoring relationships may evolve but are not guaranteed. The continuation of the relationship will be determined by the mentee and mentor.
“We are calling on all eligible staff members to serve as a mentor, mentee or both,” said Krista Vaught, the program’s Human Resources partner and assistant director of Employee Learning and Engagement. “We will provide educational opportunities for both mentors and mentees to ensure that both parties feel prepared, knowledgeable and confident in taking on these roles.”
Other members of the committee are Lindsey Bunt, Danielle Certa (WAVE), Dominique Millen, Ben Morse, Sara Putnam (USAC) and Alex Wendt.
Applications to serve as a mentor and/or mentee are available on the VSMP website and due on Oct. 27.
Applicants will be notified of their status on a rolling basis. Approved mentors and mentees are expected to participate in the ELE webinar about the VSMP initiative, expectations and mentoring best practices on Nov. 2 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Appointments between mentors and mentees are encouraged to take place Nov. 7–Dec. 16.
For information on eligibility, expectations, next steps and frequently asked questions, visit the VSMP website. For additional questions, email staffmentoring@vanderbilt.edu.