CAE Mentoring Initiative: Call for Applications

Dear Colleagues,

The Center for Academic Excellence is pleased to announce a faculty mentoring initiative—The Mentoring Blueprint—designed to support departments in creating intentional mentoring processes and structures for their faculty.

The CAE invites department teams to apply to attend a one-day mentoring institute on Friday, January 16, 2026 from 10 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., with lunch provided. The institute will support departments in assessing current mentoring practices, exploring best practices in faculty mentoring, and creating a mentoring plan. Prior to the institute, teams will be asked to gather data from their department colleagues about their mentoring experiences and needs.

Teams should include 4 full time faculty members: a senior faculty member or someone who has held a leadership role in the department and 3 additional faculty members representing the composition of your department, reflecting the diversity of perspectives in your department (across faculty ranks, roles, and identities). Larger departments can add a 5th member if they choose; smaller departments within a school can create joint teams across departments). One participant from each team will serve as team coordinator, overseeing the piloting and assessment of the mentoring plan in its first year.

To apply, complete the application by October 20th. Click here for application: Mentoring Blueprint Application.

Please note that space is limited to 6 faculty teams in the first year.

We look forward to supporting departments in developing mentoring plans! Please email us at cae@fairfield.edu with any questions.

The CAE Team