Diverse Junior Faculty Mentoring Program seeks new mentees and mentors

The Diverse Junior Faculty Mentoring Program (DJFMP), which is sponsored by the Division of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, is seeking new participants for the 2019-20 academic year.

The program, which is being coordinated this year by Dr. Jan Huebenthal, assistant director of the LGBT Center, pairs diverse full-time junior faculty members (including tenure-track, instructional, and clinical faculty) with senior faculty members who have volunteered to collaboratively offer professional guidance to their mentee on individual developmental goals. The faculty pairs can be from the same college or school or interdisciplinary.

Topics for mentoring may include strategies for meeting research and publishing requirements, exploring teaching strategies, managing the emotional work of mentoring traditionally underrepresented students and maintaining work-life balance during the early years of an academic career.

The DJFMP website states that the term “diverse faculty” is deliberately broad and encompasses members of traditionally underrepresented and marginalized groups in the academy, including faculty members of color, international, LGBTQ+, and Appalachian faculty, women, and faculty members with disabilities as well as faculty with other intersecting lived experiences and identities.

Throughout the academic year, the faculty pairs will meet and collaborate in a confidential, respectful and continuous relationship. They are asked to meet in person or remotely at least four times per semester.

Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Gigi Secuban said collaboration is one of the key components to the mentoring program. 

"I'm excited for the Diverse Faculty Junior Mentorship Program to facilitate collaborative networks across our campus community as our diverse, early-career faculty members pursue professional opportunities with a collaborative mentor by their side to guide, support, listen, advocate and offer advice," Dr. Secuban said. "It is my hope that many of our faculty members will take advantage of this opportunity to nurture learning environments in which all can feel welcome and empowered."

Dr. Huebenthal explained the major role that mentoring plays in the nurturing of junior faculty.

"Research shows us that faculty members with diverse identities often encounter challenges to their professional success and well-being, especially so early in their academic careers,” Dr. Huebenthal said. “Faculty mentoring is one effective strategy to engage and retain faculty on their paths to satisfying and successful careers. It is so important to nurture networks of support and solidarity for members of our intellectual community who have historically been marginalized and underrepresented within the academy."

Dr. Howard Dewald, associate provost for faculty and academic planning, said the University embraces the importance of faculty mentoring toward career and life at Ohio University and in the communities in which we work and live. 

"The Diverse Junior Faculty Mentoring Program provides an opportunity for us to be more welcoming and effective in navigating the academic stream and making connections so that everyone can be productive and successful in their progress in research and scholarship, teaching, and engagement with colleagues, students and the community," Dr. Dewald said.

To apply for the program, click on one of the following links:

Apply to become a mentee HERE!

Apply to become a mentor HERE!

For more information about the DJFMP, visit https://www.ohio.edu/diversity/junior-faculty-mentoring or contact Dr. Jan Huebenthal at huebenthal@ohio.edu or 740-593-2818.