Mentor Checklist

Click here to download the full Mentor Checklist.

LOGISTICS (Prior to First Meeting)

Contact the mentee, exchange phone numbers, email information, office hours, etc.
Obtain and review the mentee's CV
Schedule a time for the first meeting with the mentee

GENERAL (First Meeting and as Needed)

Get to know the mentee on a personal level
Discuss the mentee’s CV
Discuss the Student and Faculty Handbooks along with other appropriate Policies and Procedures
Discuss useful campus resources for faculty
Discuss information technology support (e.g., Blackboard, library databases, etc.)
Discuss time management, setting priorities, balancing career and family
Discuss the culture of the Department and School (e.g., expectations for collegiality, participation in seminars and workshops, importance of maintaining a presence on campus, etc.)
Discuss establishment of a professional network (both within and outside the School and University) and how to gain visibility
Discuss review criteria and procedures for performance and promotion and tenure reviews including annual merit salary, third year (mid-tenure) and other promotion and tenure reviews as applicable
Discuss format for promotion and tenure document
Discuss summer salary support procedures
Schedule ongoing future meetings with the mentee

TEACHING (First or Second Meeting and Ongoing Meetings)

Discuss the courses that the mentee will teach (overview, first class materials/activities etc.)
Discuss the characteristics of students he or she will be teaching
Discuss possible approaches to teaching including strategies, creative innovations and time management while teaching
Discuss mentee's teaching philosophy and specific goals for teaching
Provide and discuss the promotion and tenure procedures and process related to teaching
Discuss the process for evaluation of teaching
Provide support for teaching (such as syllabi, lecture notes, slides, and cases) as needed
Offer to observe mentee teaching and schedule as appropriate
Provide feedback on teaching based on in-class evaluation and review of course materials
Offer to read papers before submission
Offer to assist with finding TAs (if applicable)

DISCOVERY / SCHOLARSHIP (First or Second Meeting and Ongoing Meetings)

Discuss Institutional Review Board procedures for researchers
Discuss research opportunities including grants, manuscripts, and publications
Discuss the process of submitting a research proposal
Discuss mentee’s specific research ideas and goals; setup a plan of action to complete research including a funding strategy
Develop a list of conferences and meetings to target along with relevant deadlines
Identify top tier journals for the department and assist the mentee in becoming a reviewer
Discuss internal and external support mechanisms for research including offering to assist with finding RAs (if applicable)

ONGOING MEETINGS (Schedule Regularly)

Ask the mentee how they are doing and how they feel (professionally and personally)
Review mentee’s teaching goals and objectives and address any concerns
Review mentee’s research goals and timelines and address any concerns
Discuss and outline timelines and goals for both teaching and research moving forward
Ask the mentee if they have any other topics or issues they would like to discuss
Ensure that the mentee is continually updating his or her CV and promotion and tenure document

REVIEW (Final Meeting)

Discuss progress and provide feedback on overall goals, teaching goals, and research goals
Discuss a plan of action for areas of improvement and projects to be continued
Discuss end of semester procedures including grading

*Adapted from Austin Community College Mentorship Program and the USCMarshall Mentoring Checklist

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