Inclusive Mentoring: Rising Tides Raise All Ships

Mentoring in higher education is crucial for career development and fostering a sense of community among faculty. Despite mentoring’s recognized benefits, the implementation of inclusive formal mentorship programs remains limited, with only about 25% of institutions offering such programs. In this article, we explore the challenges and opportunities of mentoring faculty. We highlight the importance of both formal and informal mentoring relationships, emphasizing the need for organic connections and the role of departmental support in facilitating these relationships. We also briefly discuss various mentorship models, including peer mentoring, coaching, feedback-based mentoring, reverse mentoring, and multiple mentor models, to address the evolving needs of faculty. A mentoring resource inventory for department chairs and heads is provided, assisting in the development of a mentor network. By adopting inclusive and diverse mentoring structures, higher education institutions can enhance faculty development, retention, and satisfaction.