Solutions for Faculty Mentoring
Proven strategies and programs to build meaningful mentorship networks for faculty success.
The Faculty Mentoring Effectiveness Gap
Effective mentoring is essential for faculty success, yet many faculty report that their own experiences with mentoring don’t fulfill their needs. Traditional faculty mentoring often relies on an outdated, one-size-fits-all model—where a single senior mentor is expected to provide all the guidance that a faculty member needs. In reality, effective mentoring requires a network of support that evolves over time, addressing different aspects of an academic career, from research and teaching to leadership and work-life balance.
Faculty often struggle to find the guidance they need without structured mentoring opportunities. Many are left to navigate career challenges alone, leading to isolation, uncertainty, and stalled progress. At the same time, department chairs and senior faculty are often placed in mentorship roles without formal training or institutional support, making it difficult to provide meaningful guidance.
NCFDD offers proven mentoring solutions that go beyond the traditional guru model. Our programs provide faculty with frameworks and opportunities to foster structured, scalable mentoring networks that ensure every faculty member has access to the right support, at the right time, from the right people.
NCFDD Services to Create a Culture of Mentoring
Effective programs to help you manage stress, boost productivity, and reclaim your well-being.
Institutional Membership
NCFDD’s Institutional Membership provides access to research-based mentoring frameworks, peer support networks, and tools like the Mentor Map to help you build a strong, diverse mentoring network. Whether you need guidance on research, teaching, or career advancement, these resources help you connect with the right mentors at the right time. With the structure and support of Institutional Membership, you can develop meaningful professional relationships that foster growth and long-term success.
Designed for:
Graduate students | Early Career | Alt-ac | Tenure Track | Mid-Career Faculty | Senior Faculty
Department Chair Success Program
The Department Chair Success Program (CSP) provides essential support by connecting chairs with expert mentors and small peer cohorts, curated through NCFDD’s personalized matching process. Through guided discussions, real-world application of leadership strategies, and direct mentorship from an experienced department chair coach, participants gain the skills, confidence, and community needed to navigate their roles effectively while fostering a strong mentoring culture within their departments.
Designed for:
Mid-Career Faculty | Faculty Leaders | Senior Faculty
Related Solutions
Administrators
Faculty Development
Professional growth is essential for faculty success. NCFDD offers structured development programs that enhance teaching, research, and leadership skills, helping faculty navigate the evolving demands of academia while advancing their careers.
Faculty
Faculty Wellbeing
Burnout and stress are at an all-time high. NCFDD provides resources and programs that help faculty manage workload, set boundaries, and prioritize well-being—leading to greater job satisfaction and long-term success.
Faculty
Explosive Productivity
From balancing research and teaching to meeting publication goals, faculty need proven strategies to maximize productivity. NCFDD’s tools and frameworks help faculty stay focused, meet deadlines, and achieve their professional goals—without sacrificing work-life balance.
“FSP helped me to think particularly about mentoring and mentorship in a new way, as a much broader network with very specific functions for specific people. This really took a burden off of me feeling like I needed the “one mentor” like the “one ring to rule them all.” As a result, I have now been able to think more strategically. I was struggling with putting together a book proposal and reaching out for help on the book proposal. I have now been able to put together a couple of drafts of the book proposal and have gotten substantive feedback on them, which has been immensely helpful. I took away new frameworks for thinking about mentorship and my own academic labor which will support me particularly next year during my sabbatical, when I will be writing my book.”
Melissa Miller, PhD
Assistant Professor
Colby College
Redefining Mentoring in Higher Education
Mentoring matters—but for many faculty, the support they receive isn’t enough. In collaboration with Harvard’s Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE), our Redefining Mentoring in Higher Education white paper explores why current mentoring systems often fall short and what institutions can do to improve them.
- Identify the Gaps: Uncover national data that highlights where mentoring is falling short—and for whom.
- Strengthen Your Approach: Learn actionable strategies to create more consistent, inclusive, and effective mentoring programs.
- See What’s Possible: Explore how institutions like Emory University are building stronger mentoring cultures across campus.
