How departments can encourage mentoring of junior faculty
Pair junior faculty with senior colleagues. Similarity of subspecialty areas is not as important as willingness of senior faculty to serve as guides.
Make a plan: For research funding, make a plan to secure — sequentially — internal Committee on Research funding, small external grants, larger competitive funding. For teaching, identify meaningful ways in which teaching effectiveness can be evaluated; talk to college and university faculty who have won distinguished teaching awards.
Form departmental-level faculty development committees: Have committee review drafts of journal articles and proposals.
Conduct annual evaluations: Experienced faculty scholars can comment on teaching and research effectiveness. The chair can offer observations on progress towards tenure.
Use existing university resources: The office of the dean, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, among others, can offer valuable guidance on aspects of professional development for junior faculty.
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