The 'AI Mentor Coach': An Interactive 5-Step Prompt for Faculty Development (Version 2.01)

Faculty, especially new faculty, are experts in their discipline but often novices in the "hidden curriculum" of managing and mentoring people. This document provides a Version 2.0 generative AI prompt that turns an AI chatbot (such as Gemini, Copilot, or ChatGPT) into an interactive "AI Mentor Coach". New in Version 2.0: Evidence-Based Guidance: The AI's advice is now explicitly grounded in best practices from the National Academies and CIMER (Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research). Universal Persona: The mentor persona has been updated to be effective for faculty across all institution types. How it Works: Based on the "flight simulator" concept, this tool provides a confidential, non-judgmental space for faculty to practice difficult, high-stakes conversations (e.g., managing a top-performing student who creates a toxic team dynamic, addressing unprofessional student communication, or other sensitive challenges). The prompt uses a 5-step coaching model that requires the AI to listen, reframe, and ask for the user's ideas first, helping the user move from a state of panic to one of agency. This tool is intended as a supplemental resource for faculty development.