Mentoring administrators in a changing academy.(IN THEIR OWN WORDS)

Part II

Mentoring is valuable to develop successful administrators. Often administrative mentoring has been informal, with campus administrators serving as role models.

A more formal program allows each school to provide relevant, structured experiences that prepare people to assume administrative positions within the school itself. The authors have led and participated in such "grow your own" programs at two schools.

Establishing a program

After consulting leaders of other divisions, the Office of Academic Affairs developed, initiated and ran an Administrative Fellows mentoring program.

Early in the fall semester, they invited faculty, staff and entry level administrators interested in developing their administrative and leadership skills. A formal process asked applicants to describe their interest in and commitment to the program and to provide reference letters, including a commitment by their supervisor to support their participation.

A small group of administrators from several divisions selected 8-10 applicants as Administrative Fellows, being inclusive across divisions and seeking to include women and minority participants.