State University Plaza

SUNY Mentoring Program

Introduction

In the spring of 2001, a strategic planning process began to identify efforts strategies that will assist the State University of New York in moving to the front ranks of higher education. Specific initiatives on which to focus our efforts were identified. One of these initiatives is targeted at leadership development. Along with other new programs, a pilot Mentoring Program has been designed to prepare managementstaff for leadership roles.

Program Overview

The SUNY pilot Mentoring Program is a professional development opportunity for allmanagement staff. This opportunity is especially important in assisting women, minorities, or individuals with disabilities to rise to higher career levels. Participation in the program is voluntary. An employee seeking a mentoring experience will be paired by the program coordinator with an employee from a different SUNY campus, or the State University Plaza, offering to share his or her knowledge and experience.

What Is Mentoring?

Mentoring is defined as “a deliberate pairing of a more-skilled or more-experienced person with a less-experienced one, with the mutually agreed goal of having the less-skilled person grow and develop specific competencies."

(Source: Beyond the Myths and Magic of Mentoring by Margo Murray, 2001)

Benefits of Mentoring

Mentoring provides benefits to the mentor, the mentee, and the organization.

Benefits to mentees include personal and professional growth, career development, and an opportunity to cultivate management, leadership, and interpersonal skills. It also can result in rewarding professional contacts.

Benefits to mentors include recognition as a role model and respected member of the community, as well as the opportunity to expand leadership and interpersonal skills.

Mentoring also benefits us in numerous ways. Mentoring can be a valuable tool in recruitment, retention, knowledge transfer, job satisfaction, workforce development, and the promotion of diversity.

Desirable Characteristics of a Mentor

Desirable characteristics for a mentor to possess include:

Belief in institution's vision, mission, core values, and initiatives.
Acknowledged expertise in a particular field(s).
Willingness to share knowledge and experience.
Willingness and ability to commit time and energy to the mentoring

relationship.

Commitment to personal and professional development for self and others.
Ability to motivate and lead others.
Achievement oriented.
Good listening and communication skills.
Good coaching and feedback skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Desirable Characteristics of a Mentee

Desirable characteristics for a mentee to possess include:

Commitment to and sense of responsibility for self-development.
Personal vision and sense of desired career path.
Positive attitude.
Willingness to commit time and energy to the mentoring relationship.
Eagerness to learn.
Willingness to take risks.
Willingness to accept constructive feedback.
Good listening and communication skills.

What Is the Time Commitment?

Although a good mentoring relationship may continue on an informal basis for many years, the pilot Mentor Program is for a formal period of at least six to 12month monthsperiod. There are no defined schedule requirements, although a mutually agreed upon schedule should be developed to ensure that enough time will be devoted to the mentoring relationship.

How Can I Get Involved?

If you are interested in serving as a mentor, please complete and submit the attached Mentor Application form. Individuals interested in becoming a mentee are invited to complete and submit the attached Mentee Application form. The program coordinator will partner mentors with mentees. Completed applications should be sent to Donna Amiraian, Director of Human Resource Development, SUNY System Administration, State University Plaza, Room S125, Albany, NY 12246, or faxed to (518) 443-5521.

Resources

The program coordinator will serve as a liaison throughout the mentoring relationship to assist the mentor and mentee in achieving the desired outcome.

For additional information on the Mentoring Program, please contact Donna Amiraian at (518) 443-5519 or .

Mentoring Program

Mentor Application

Thank you for your interest in serving as a mentor in the Mentoring Program. Your willingness to serve as a role model and share your knowledge and experiences to assist in the personal and professional development of a colleague is appreciated. It is only through the dedication and cooperation of staff such as you that the State University can achieve its plan to move into the front ranks of higher education. Please share with us the information requested below so that we may identify a protégé seeking to develop skills and knowledge in your area of expertise.

Name: ______Title: ______

Campus: ______E-Mail Address: ______

Address: ______Phone Number: ______

______Fax Number: ______

Please provide a brief description of your current duties and responsibilities:

Please describe the skills you have to offer or area(s) in which you would like to mentor:

Other information that may be useful in establishing a mentoring relationship:

The amount of time you have to offer as a mentor: ______weekly/monthly

Please return completed application to Donna Amiraian, Director of Human Resource Development, SUNY System Administration, State University Plaza, Room S125, Albany, NY 12246.

Mentoring Program

Mentee Application

Thank you for your interest in participation in the Mentoring Program. We encourage and support personal and professional development. It is only through the pursuit of excellence by staff such as you that the State University can achieve its plan to move into the front ranks of higher education. Please share with us the information requested below so that we may identify a mentor seeking to share knowledge and experience in your area of interest.