The purpose of this checklist is to provide guidance and a timeline for the yearlong mentoring process at Nebraska Extension for new Extension Educators. The primary goal of this mentoring process is to support Extension faculty successfully adjusting to their new role in Extension by helping them feel valued, that they belong and assist them in achieving their workplace goals.
Website
The mentoring tab under Professional Development on the Extension Employee page will list current mentoring matches and potential Educators to enable supervisors to make a suitable match.
Assign Mentor
Between 3-6 months of employment the Engagement Zone Coordinator and the Program Leader (may include PL and Dept Head if you are an Educator on campus) will work together to determine a formal mentor assignment. Waiting until 3-6 months to make the assignment allows everyone to be in a better position to serve the new employee best.
- Determine Fit – The direct supervisor (EZC or PL) will discuss the learning/support with the mentee and ask if they have connected with any colleagues that would make a good potential mentor or them. Depending on the new employee needs the mentor could be more discipline focused, lead educator focused, etc.
- Permission – Please send your chosen mentor to Dave Varner for final permission to ask. Check with the mentor’s supervisor to make sure they agree that the mentor has capacity and that there is not already another plan in the works for that possible mentor.
- Make the Ask – Either the EZC or PL will contact the potential mentor and make the ask to serve as a mentor. The commitment is one year, meeting at least once a month and preferably face to face.
- Report the Match – Once a mentor agrees to serve, report the match to the Professional Development Coordinator. The mentor will receive directions for watching the 3 online training sessions and dates for mentor sessions quarterly during their year commitment.
- Resources – The mentoring website on the Extension Employee page will provide additional resources for the match as they meet.(i.e. potential topics, questions, resources, etc.)
- Starting Strong - The pair should use the “Starting Strong” document to plan their interactions.
- Agreement – Discuss and sign the “Mentoring Agreement” during the first meeting and send to Professional Development Coordinator.
- Gallup Strengths – The Professional Development Coordinator will provide handouts to the mentor and mentee on each other’s strengths to assist in the “meeting each other” stage.
Evaluate
Both the mentor and the mentee will ask to give feedback about the experience at 3 and 12 months. This will allow for a potential change of assignment if needed, a chance to ask for additional information, and provide feedback to the experience to assist in guiding this process systemwide. In addition, please plan to have a dialogue with your educator about their experience. We are asking mentors and mentees both to have a conversation at the conclusion of the experience with their supervisors around this question………………How will the experience help you in your role and career moving forward.
Year End Celebration
At the end of one year of meeting, the mentor and mentee can move to a more informal mentoring experience. Hopefully the relationship will continue but the formal process can come to an end. EZC/PL should celebrate and thank the mentor for their time and commitment to the role.