The IUPUI PFF Mentor Program was developed to further enhance the overall IUPUI PFF program. Through this mentoring program, PFF Scholars are paired with a faculty member from one of the partner institutions and given the opportunity to participate in a series of activities that provide more in-depth and first-hand knowledge of faculty life from a diverse range of experiences and perspectives.
The program is open to all current PFF Scholars at IUPUI. Those interested in being paired with a mentor should complete the PFF Scholar Profile Form and forward it to the PFF Director. The information provided will be entered into a database and the process to find a match will begin. Once a potential match has been made, the PFF office will facilitate an initial meeting between the mentor and scholar to establish a plan for accomplishing mentoring goals and activities that will help him or her achieve specific skills and competencies needed to achieve success in the professoriate. In addition, a mentoring agreement will be signed by the scholar and mentor at this point. Once the plan has been established, the scholar will begin visits (a minimum of four) with the mentor at his or her institution. It is strongly encouraged that the scholar's academic advisor participates in the initial planning meeting to ensure a proper balance of activities is achieved.
Program Expectations
Throughout the course of this mentorship experience, PFF Scholars have the opportunity to observe and take part in a variety of faculty related activities. These activities may include but are not limited to working with the faculty member and his or her colleagues on pedagogical development; under the direction and support of the mentor teaching a class or portion of a class at the partner institution; attending faculty, departmental, and administrative meetings; consulting with the mentor regarding faculty obligations at that institution; and discussing how the mentor balances the demands of teaching, research, and service. The Activity Planning Guide for Mentors and PFF Scholars document will be used to formulate and direct the activities.
The scholar is required to submit to the PFF director an analytical essay on his or her mentoring experience, not only describing the activities undertaken, but also reflecting analytically on them, considering how they contributed to his or her professional growth. Scholars will also be expected to share this experience with others at the PFF capstone event. It should be noted that the reflective piece required for the mentoring program is different from the one required at the end of the overall PFF experience.
While there is a minimum of only four visits with the mentor, Scholars are encouraged to spend more time, if possible, at the host institution, to allow for both sustained interaction with the mentor and a sufficient range of experiences over the course of the six-month or year-long period. With this in mind, Scholars should be at a stage in their graduate program that allows them the most flexibility to spend as much time as possible with the mentor on-site.
Scholars choosing to participate in the mentoring program may use this experience in lieu of four of the required units in research, teaching, service, or any combination of the three areas, depending on the type of activity.
To Participate
PFF Scholars interested in the PFF Mentoring Program should contact PFF Director NaShara Mitchell. , Participants will need to complete and submit the aforementioned PFF Scholar Profile Form to aid in establishing the appropriate mentor match. Faculty interested in becoming a mentor for the IUPUI PFF Mentor Program should complete the Faculty Mentor Profile Form and forward it to the PFF Director.
