What you need to know
- The Vanderbilt Staff Mentorship Program helps employees connect and learn from each other.
- Applications are due on May 13.
- All eligible staff members can serve as a mentor, mentee or both (in which case, fill out both applications).
- Returning program participants must fill out new applications.
- All mentees, including returning ones, must attend an information session.
Hundreds of Vanderbilt staff members have participated in the Vanderbilt Staff Mentorship Program, and applications are now open for mentors and mentees for its summer session.
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
- foster a culture of ongoing mentorship throughout the university
How it works
The mentorship program is designed to spark organic mentoring relationships with a focus on connecting mentors and mentees.
- Each mentee will have the opportunity to meet with up to two mentors, and each mentor will be able to meet with up to three mentees
- Sessions are scheduled to last for 45 minutes
The expectation is that these are one-time mentoring conversations, providing opportunities to discuss career and professional growth one on one or in a small group. Longer-term mentoring relationships may evolve but are not guaranteed. The continuation of the relationship will be determined by the mentee and mentor.
Information sessions
To be eligible to participate as a mentee, you are REQUIRED to attend a VSMP Information Session. Mentors are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to attend. There are three opportunities for attendance:
- Thursday, April 11, 10:30–11:30 a.m. (Virtual)
- Tuesday, April 16, 2:30–3:30 p.m. (In person)
- Recorded information session (available on April 16; must be watched by May 12 at 5 p.m.)
Sign up for your preferred offering >>
Applications
New and returning participants must complete an application by May 13.
Please pass this information along to any staff member you think would be interested in the program.
Questions about VSMP? Please email staffmentoring@vanderbilt.edu and visit hr.vanderbilt.edu/ele/mentoring.php.
Participant testimonials
“The benefit of VSMP was forcing me to take devoted time out to prepare for meaningful conversations about my future and my professional development and then engage with someone positioned to guide me. We so rarely prioritize ourselves, and I like that this program requires that and then gives you an established professional to help pour into you in ways you don’t even realize you need.”
- Jeremy Bourgoin, director of student accountability (mentee)
“It was helpful to me as a mentor to share my experiences and give encouragement to my mentees. We all experienced similar experiences in our careers. Being that sounding board and offering recommendations was truly rewarding for me.”
- Mentor (anonymous)
