Faculty Mentoring: Home

• Have the opportunity to meet new and continuing students with similar academic, cultural, and social interests.
• Have the opportunity to have a collaborative relationship with a Faculty Mentor within the discipline of choice.
• Gain support for academic pursuits and personal development.
• Be able to get assistance to improve academic skills such as writing, note-taking, time management, and stress management skills.
• Receive assistance with course selections, majors and referrals to major advisors.

What is Mentoring?

Mentoring is a power-free partnership between two individuals who desire mutual growth. One of the individuals usually has greater skills, experiences, and wisdom (Weinstein, 1998).

• Mentoring is a journey that requires perseverance

• Mentoring includes helping mentoring partners to determine their priorities, uncover their passions, and honestly address their pain.

• Mentoring concentrates on the needs of the one being mentored, not on the agenda of the mentor.

• Mentoring focuses on changing people from the inside out, not the outside in.

• Mentoring involves the spiritual side of a person, not just the physical, mental, and emotional aspects.

• Mentoring is one of the best ways to have a significant personal impact on society, even for generations.
  (Source: The Heart of Mentoring, Stoddard, D., 2003)

What is a Mentor?

A mentor is someone who…

• is a friend, adviser, coach, role model, guide and sponsor.
• is above all available and makes the time commitment to the mentoring partner.
• is able to establish a trusting relationship.
• has the ability to empower the mentoring partner.
• has the ability to honor the mentoring partner’s autonomy.
• encourages the mentoring partner’s development of supportive relationships with peers, faculty, staff and industry.
• has the ability to tap into organizational networks and opportunities available.

What is a Mentoring Partner?

Mentoring is an interactive process. Successful mentoring is not only based on the characteristics of the mentor, but also attributes possessed by the mentoring partner.

A successful mentoring partner should have the following characteristics:

• Motivation
• Interest in developing new skills
• Good communication skills
• Goal oriented
• Willing to assume responsibility for own growth and development
• Seeks challenging assignments
• Is receptive to feedback and coaching

For questions, please contact:

Dr. Carla Swearingen

Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs

NSU Administration 122

(918) 444-2065

swearinc@nsuok.edu