FaCET Mentor Program for New Faculty

So you found a place to live and are starting to get settled  in.

• You picked up the key for your office and have a desk, chair and some empty bookshelves
• Your department head and colleagues are kind and helpful
• Goals and objectives are in place for all of your courses.

Now what?

You are probably looking around and thinking, how do I meet all the other wonderful people who teach at WKU?

Well, we know that it is not easy.  We haven't met all of these people ourselves, even after untold years of being here and many committee assignments.

FaCET is trying to make a difference through our Mentoring  Program

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To help you to feel a part of the wider WKU community, we have a mentoring program. A mentor is:

• a friend outside your own discipline
• a "safe space" to explore your feelings and questions
• a starting point for networking across the campus

The mentor program links you with a faculty member from another
college. At your request, we make the arrangements.  After an initial meeting, the two of you keep in regular contact through the first year (sometimes for much longer).

What categories of people qualify for the mentoring program?
All new faculty at WKU qualify to receive mentors during their first year.

What categories of people qualify as mentors?
A wide variety of people can serve as mentors: full or part time faculty, administrators, department heads, or faculty on optional retirement.  The most important qualities we look for in a mentor are experience as an instructor at WKU, a willingness to make time for new friendships and a commitment to building a sense of community at Western.

Why is your mentor selected from another college?
We are a campus-wide community and we want to help you to integrate across college boundaries.  Having a friend who stands outside the politics of your own college can be helpful.  Such a mentor views your concerns with greater objectivity and offers a wider perspective.

How is the initial contact made?
After the FaCET staff assigns a mentor, it is the responsibility of the mentor to contact the new faculty member and set up an initial meeting.

How long should I expect to wait for an initial contact?
If you do not hear from your mentor within the first few weeks of the semester, call the Center at 5-6508.  We will follow up for you.

Does the arranged connection always work?
Unfortunately, no. Why? A number of unforeseen circumstances may hinder establishing a relationship:

•       schedules which make it difficult to arrange meetings
•       you just can't seem to find any common ground
•       problems of one sort or another

What should I do if things don't seem to be working out?
An email or phone call to Sally Kuhlenschmidt (5-6508) will alert the FaCET staff to the fact that another arrangement is necessary. We expect that this will happen in a few cases, and we are already prepared to help.  But if we don't hear about it we cannot do anything.  If this happens, we will find you a new mentor.  Something as meaningful as this is well worth a little initial effort.

That's it!

You are one phone call away from being a part of this program.  Call today!

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Contact person:
Dr. Sally Kuhlenschmidt
745-6508
e-mail:  Sally Kuhlenschmidt@wku.edu

fax:  (270) 745-6145