Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) completed a yearlong mentoring program for under-represented, pre-promotion faculty. At IUPUC, 56 percent of faculty are women, 22 percent are minorities, and, as an indicator of working-class origins, 48 percent are first-generation college graduates. A grant from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis’ Mentoring Academy was obtained to pilot the mentoring program.

Prior needs assessment indicated under-represented faculty seek mentoring on research, teaching, and tenure and promotion - three crucibles of faculty career success. Therefore, increasing faculty career self-efficacy, that is, faculty confidence in their ability to direct their professional career, was a primary program goal.

Ten faculty mentees participated in the program and each was paired with a faculty mentor. The program included mentor training, an opening retreat, regular group feedback sessions, and program assessment.  

Preliminary results indicate that mentoring on career self-efficacy helps to address faculty needs in a holistic fashion. By sharing program outcomes, IUPUC also hopes to contribute to improving faculty mentoring across gender, ethnicity, race, and class.

Grant writers include:

• Dr. George Towers, Head, Division of Liberal Arts; Head, Division of Science
• Dr. Darrin Carr, Clinical Coordinator, Mental Health Counseling Program
• Dr. Cheryl Crisp, IUSON Assistant Director
• Dr. Joan Poulsen, Director, Psychology Program
• Dr. Anibal Torres, Director, Mental Health Counseling Program
• Aimee Zoeller, M.A., Coordinator, Sociology Program; Coordinator, Women’s Studies   

For more information about academic programs at IUPUC, please visit www.iupuc.edu or call the Office of Admissions at 812.348.7390.