Embark on a Transformative Journey:
Unlock your full potential with the Staff Mentorship Program, a dynamic and enriching experience designed to fuel your professional and personal growth. Spanning from September to May, this program strategically connects you with a seasoned staff member or esteemed retirees, offering a personalized pathway to navigate your career with confidence and clarity.
Our mentors, are dedicated to empowering you. They will coach you through creating and implementing a personalized learning goal. Discover fresh perspectives and learn from those who have successfully charted their own paths within the university.
Ignite Your Potential
Become a Mentee
- Are you a newly hired employee (0-3 years) eager to deepen your understanding of the university and higher education landscape?
- Do you want to sharpen your job effectiveness and strategically advance your career?
- Are you a supervisor committed to mastering the art of people leadership and elevating your team's performance?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, seize the opportunity and apply today!
Become a Mentor
- Have you worked at the university for at least five years and with understanding of the university or higher education?
- Are you skilled at your job and have had experience advancing to a new one?
- Are you an experienced supervisor willing to give back and a talent (or interest in) coaching others?
If you are passionate about empowering others and answered "yes" to any of the above, we invite you to share your wisdom and apply.
2025-26 Mentorship Program
Apply before Friday, August 15, 2025, for the Staff Mentorship Program.
What to Expect from Your Commitment
The mentorship journey begins in August with the application process, culminating in mentor pair announcements in September. Participants will engage in a comprehensive three-hour orientation in September, monthly connection and networking opportunities, and a celebratory one-hour wrap-up event in the spring.
- Forge Meaningful Connections: We recommend mentor pairs meet at least monthly, fostering a consistent and supportive dialogue. However, we encourage you to customize your meeting schedule to align with your unique needs and goals.
- Continuous Learning and Development: Between mentoring sessions, you will actively apply new concepts and hone desired behaviors, ensuring tangible progress.
Unlock a World of Benefits:
For Mentees:
- Accelerated learning and transformative growth
- Strategic career advancement and readiness
- Expanded professional network and connections
- Personalized career guidance and direction
- Invaluable institutional knowledge and insights
- Inspiration, motivation, and unwavering encouragement
For Mentors:
- Refined leadership and mentoring skills
- A sense of purpose and fulfillment through service
- Meaningful transfer of institutional legacy
- Enhanced professional network and relationships
- Strengthened interpersonal and communication skills
- Fresh perspectives and innovative ideas
For the University:
- Cultivated employee and leader development
- Increased employee retention and engagement
- Fostered community and belonging
- Strengthened organizational culture and cohesion
- Enhanced recruitment and talent acquisition
- Preserved and transferred vital institutional knowledge
Unwavering Support and Guidance:
We are committed to your success. Participants receive robust training and comprehensive resources, including an in-depth orientation and a detailed resource guide. This guide equips you with tools for session preparation, goal setting, sample agendas, and more.
Dedicated Support:
The program coordinator is your dedicated ally, providing ongoing support and addressing any questions or concerns throughout the program.
Eligibility:
Open to all full-time (temporary or permanent) staff members and retirees in good standing, with supervisor approval.
Your Success:
Mentoring pairs collaboratively set and track individual goals, providing a clear framework for progress. These goals can be integrated into your annual performance evaluations.
Feedback:
All participants will complete mid- and end-of-program evaluations, ensuring continuous program enhancement.
University Commitment to Your Growth
We are dedicated to prioritizing participation and professional development for all Nebraska students, staff, and faculty, aligning with the University of Nebraska’s Odyssey to Extraordinary Foundational Pillars and Strategic Priorities, specifically "Extraordinary Culture and Environment" cultivating a supportive, inclusive and dynamic community where every individual can thrive.
The Staff Mentorship Program significantly contributes to the strategic priorities of fostering an Extraordinary Culture & Environment by:
- Fostering a welcoming and unified culture: It actively integrates new employees, builds a sense of belonging, and facilitates the transmission of university values across campus.
- Enhancing work/life quality and experience: The program provides professional development, personal support, and directly develops interpersonal communication and goal-setting skills, leading to a more engaged workforce.
- Creating a supportive and thriving workplace: The program cultivates strong interpersonal connections and provides access to resources, contributing to an environment where individuals feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed.
"My mentor helped me brainstorm ways to handle a challenging employee situation. Her advice was invaluable."
~Megan McMasters
2023-2024 Mentee
"It is a great experience for growth - even on the mentor side. It's a chance to serve the campus community in a meaningful way, build new relationships, see new parts of campus, and learn more about yourself."
~Joy Eakin
2023-2024 Mentor
2025-26 Mentorship Program
Apply before Friday, August 15, 2025, for the Staff Mentorship Program.