EngEx Mentor Network
Program Overview
The EngEx Mentor Network is a year-long mentorship program designed to support early-career engineering faculty and enhance mentorship and leadership skills in senior faculty. The program offers two tracks: the Mentor track and the Mentee track, with activities, training, and resources that foster community, professional growth, and faculty success. The EngEx Mentor Network is an accessible and innovative way to foster a culture of mentoring within the COE.
Program Goals
- For Mentors:
- To strengthen mentoring and leadership skills while contributing to the development and success of early-career faculty.
- For Mentees:
- To gain support and guidance in navigating academic life, advancing professional goals, and building meaningful relationships within the faculty community.
2025-2026 Schedule at a Glance
| Month | Theme | Learning Mode |
|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | Kick-Off & Goal-Setting | Kick-Off Event & Workshop |
| October 2025 | Effective Communication & Collaboration Skills | Online Module |
| November 2025 | Work-Life Balance & Supporting Well-Being | Lunch & Learn and Peer Discussion |
| December 2025 | Career Development & Inclusion | Online Module (including virtual panel) |
| January 2026 | Research & Funding | Online Module |
| February 2026 | Teaching Excellence | Lunch & Learn (including in-person panel) |
| March 2026 | Leadership & Institutional Engagement | Online Module |
| April 2026 | Reflection & Future Planning | Celebration Banquet |
Participation
- 6 Online Training Modules (self-paced on Moodle)
- 2 In-Person Lunch & Learn Events
- Mentorship Workbooks & Goal-Setting Tools
- End-of-Year Awards and LinkedIn Badge Certification
Mentoring Competency Assessment (MCA) Framework
The EngEx Mentor Network Program is guided by the Mentoring Competency Assessment (MCA), a research-based framework that defines six core competencies of effective mentoring:
- Maintaining Effective Communication
- Aligning Expectations
- Assessing Understanding
- Addressing Diversity and Inclusion
- Promoting Professional Development
- Fostering Independence
The MCA informs the training modules, self-assessments, and feedback tools. Mentors and Mentees use this framework to guide their development, set goals, and reflect on growth throughout the year.
Program Recognition
EngEx Mentor Network participants who complete the program receive:
- A digital certificate and LinkedIn badge
- Eligibility for Mentor/Mentee of the Year Awards (including financial stipends)
- Opportunities to showcase their contributions in a year-end celebration
Get Involved
Applications for 2025-2026 open in August!
- Mentors: Open to COE faculty with 5+ years of experience
- Mentees: Open to early-career COE faculty (pre-tenure or new to the institution)