The Region 5 Mentoring Program is designed for new and experienced advising professionals where a learning opportunity is formally set up with another professional in the region. It is designed for anyone who is looking to network, gain professional development, develop an advising philosophy, learn about research or publishing strategies, or build advisor skills.
Selected participants will be paired based on sent application information and introduced to each other a few weeks prior to the program. Then everyone will meet all participants in the program at a scheduled virtual Mentoring Program Workshop.
During the workshop, participants will review the benefits of taking part in the mentoring program and create expectations for one another. Participants will develop an action plan that they will use throughout the year to guide their experience.
General Requirements to Participate
Program Application | Deadline: Monday, February 5, 2024
The Region 5 Conference is March 25-27, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
If attending, please note that if selected for the mentoring program, you will be invited to a mentoring program reception from 5:00-5:45 pm on Tuesday, March 26. You won't want to miss this fun reception but know that it is optional.
Mentee Beth Tremelling | Academic Advisor/Coach, University of Wisconsin - Platteville Mentor Jaime Langdon | Academic Advisor, Univeristy of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Why Jaime mentors: I wanted to become a mentor because I love advising and I love the students I work with. I've been advising for 12 years and while it's a challenge everyday with new situations to resolve on behalf of students, it is so rewarding. Mentoring isn't about just giving information to a mentee, it's about give and take with each other. I hope to be able to share my years of experience with someone who wants to really dig into this field and make a difference for their students, but I also know I will gain so much from this experience as well that will change my perspectives on advising and people overall.
Why Beth wanted to be a mentee: I am interested in learning many ways of advising so that I can knowledgeably adapt my own method of advising to suit me and my students. I would also like the opportunity to network and meet advisors outside of my own institution.
Mentee Alyssa Finder | Academic Advisor, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Mentor Jamie Heck | Director of Academic Affairs, University of Cinncinatti
Why Jamie mentors: During my involvement in NACADA, I have developed some wonderful relationships with fellow colleagues. These relationships and experiences motivated me to serve as a mentor. I feel that this involvement in the NACADA Region 5 Mentoring Program will be both rewarding and fulfilling for my paired mentee and myself as we continue to learn and grow together.
Why Alyssa wanted to be a mentee: My hope is the advisors who are mentors will assist me in acquiring the skills necessary to continue to hone my craft of advising. The camaraderie that will come from working closely with other academic professionals will bewelcomed as well.
Quotes from previous mentors Mentoring a new advisor was truly a rewarding experience. It was a great way to give back to the advising profession and to see what great talent and dedication there is among young advisors. What was especially great about the experience was that I learned just as much as my mentee and I have been advising for over 25 years! | Melinda McDonald, 2017-2018 Mentor
I learned that a great deal of the role of the mentor is being able to listen and support your mentee in their goals. I knew I didn’t have all the answers, but I didn’t need to. The experience became a journey that we took together, providing the support and encouragement went a long way in supporting my mentee in reaching her goals. | Deb Dotterer 2017-2018 Mentor
“Being a mentor allowed me to grow as a Servant Leader. The advice and support that was shared with my mentee served as a reminder for myself. The mentor/mentee opportunity taught me to embrace different opinions, be non-judgmental, be resourceful and be open to learning about the drive and passion within the individual” | Steven Taylor 2017-2018 Mentor
Quotes from previous mentees The mentoring process was very well thought-out and planned. My mentor helped provide me with motivation, ideas, and even how-to tips on a probation project for 3rd/4th year students. She was inspiring since she had experienced most of the issues since I was less than 3 years of having university advising experience. The mentoring program is crucial if matched with a well-rounded, experienced advisor who is willing to help and ask, "What can I do to help you to grow?" My mentor did and willingly! This program is great if you do not have in-house resources available or need outside input for growth and development of advisors(ing).
I would recommend this program to newly minted and experienced advisors as an opportunity to network with other advisors while growing your skillset. | Aundra Freeman, 2017-2018 Mentee
My mentor has helped me set goals for my professional development and holds me accountable. My mentor also helps me think about some of challenges both I and my institution face from a different perspective. Our relationship is such that we are able to share experiences to help us both become better student affairs professionals. I have greatly enjoyed growing with and learning from my mentor. | Brianna Burke 2017-2018 Mentee
Region 5 Mentoring Program Coordinator Diana "Di" Dingman Indiana University-Bloomington