san antonio college

Mentoring Program

The Thomas C. Hoy Leadership Institute (HLI) provides staff members with professional development opportunities dedicated to strengthening leadership abilities. The mentoring program associated with the HLI program enhances the opportunites for HLI participants by supporting and encouraging interaction between more experienced professionals.

Who are Mentors and Mentees?

A mentor is a trusted counselor, guide, coach, or advisor. Mentors are volunteers generally from campus administration.

A mentee is an individual seeking assistance, knowledge, or guidance. All HLI participants are paired with a mentor to enhance the leadership experience.

What is expected of Mentors and Mentees?

Mentors and mentees are mutually committed to a beneficial mentoring relationship which requires honesty, openness, commitment, and effort by both individuals. The mentor and mentee:

• Identify objectives, goals, and developmental needs
• Define and establish a plan to accomplish mentee goals
• Meet regularly in person (at least one hour per month) to review and reevaluate progress
• Commit to a relationship the length of the HLI program but may be extended through mutual agreement
• Agree to the list of expectations described in this document
• Submit an evaluation of the program at the end of the program

The relationship should provide a risk-free learning environment where both individuals are committed to trust and confidentiality. The mentoring relationship may be concluded through a mutual decision to end the relationship.

Mentor Commits to:

• Provide information about campus/district and familiarize the mentee with organizational processes and procedures
• Facilitate a positive connection to the campus
• Introduce the mentee to people in the organization
• Listen and offer feedback
• Recommend developmental activities
• Suggest and provide resources
• Communicate experiences and challenges
• Serve as a role model, offering penalty-free advice and counsel, and providing candid feedback to the mentee
• Attending a mentor training session

The Mentee Commits to:

• Contacting the mentor to set up one-on-one appointments
• Completing a Goal Plan with the mentor
• Participating in monthly sessions
• Proactively working toward developmental goals
• Maintaining confidentiality in the relationship
• Ask questions, listen, be open to mentor's suggestions
• Keep lines of communication open
• Evaluating ongoing progress and providing honest feedback

Mentor Benefits:

Both mentors and mentees experience benefits from the mentoring program. Mentors gain exposure to new perspectives from the mentees and expand their professional networks. They enhance their coaching, feedback, and leadership skills. Most importantly, they gain personal satisfaction from helping others discover and reach their potential.

Mentee Benefits:

Benefits to the mentee are numerous including the opportunity to develop additional networks and increase their visibility. They receive valuable career guidance and can utilize the mentor as a sounding board. They receive assistance as they learn to adapt to changing professional and organizational circumstances.

How are Mentors and Mentees Matched?

The HLI Committee will match mentors and mentees. Both mentors and mentees will complete an application form. The application form contains information about the mentor and mentee. The HLI committee will use this information when pairing mentees and mentors. The mentees may identify individuals who they think will be appropriate mentors. If one of the mentors they have requested has a similar interest, the HLI committee will pair them together. If interests do not match, the committee may decide to identify another mentor who shares similar interest with the mentee.

Mentor Application Form - Submit form to any committee member.

Questions?

If you have questions about the Thomas C. Hoy Leadership Mentoring Program, please contact Cynthia C. Price, Chair, Thomas C. Hoy Leadership Institute, 210-731-6765 or at 731-6766 or cprice@mail.accd.edu.