UT Mentoring Initiative (UTMI) - Faculty

About

Your mentoring relationships are stronger when you have the tools to communicate effectively, set clear expectations, and support mentees as they grow.

This training series equips faculty and staff with research-backed strategies for building successful mentoring relationships. Through practical frameworks and evidence-based approaches, participants will learn how to align expectations early, maintain effective communication, foster independence, and support mentees' academic and professional development.

The skills developed throughout the series help create more productive mentoring relationships, enhance the student experience, and contribute to a stronger culture of mentorship across campus.

Five sessions will be offered this fall, with additional offerings and new topics planned for the spring semester. Participants are welcome to join at any point in the series. All faculty and staff are invited to participate. Sessions 1–4 will be held virtually, and Session 5 will take place in person as part of an end-of-semester celebration.

SESSION 1: Maintaining Effective Communication

September 16, 2026 | 10–11:30 a.m. | Virtual

Practice active listening and delivering constructive feedback to strengthen mentoring relationships.

SESSION 2: Aligning Expectations

October 28, 2026 | 10–11:30 a.m. | Virtual

Learn practical tools for creating and revising shared mentoring agreements.

SESSION 3: Mentoring Agreement

November 12, 2026 | 10–11 a.m. | Virtual

Learn how a formal mentoring agreement can clarify expectations, build trust, and strengthen mentoring relationships.

SESSION 4: Fostering Independence

November 16, 2026 | 10–11:30 a.m. | Virtual

Explore strategies for fostering mentee independence while supporting progress toward research and career goals.