Mentoring Matters @ Illinois

Using the research-based curriculum Entering Mentoring, the goal of this series is to facilitate the process of becoming an effective mentor by providing an intellectual framework, opportunities to experiment with various methods, and a safe and confidential learning forum in which to solve mentoring dilemmas.

“Effective mentoring can be learned, but not taught. Most faculty learn to mentor by experimenting and analyzing success and failure, and many say that the process of developing an effective method of mentoring takes years… A skilled mentor is guided by a reflective philosophy that directs examination of the mentee’s challenging needs and how to best address them, creating fluidity in the relationship.” 

Pfund, Branchaw, & Handelsman, 2014

Mentoring Matters Distinguished Lecture

May 21, 2025

Mentoring Like A Coach: Helping Mentees Grow through Complexity and Change

In this lively, interactive talk, we’ll discuss the difference between mentoring and coaching, how coaching supports learning and growth, and the applicability of professional coaching techniques to complex mentoring situations. How might mentoring “like a coach” challenge some of your fundamental assumptions about mentoring? And what coaching tools and concepts can you begin using with your mentees right away? 

Featured Speaker

Maria LaMonaca Wisdom
Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement
Duke University

Distinguished Lecture Schedule

TimeActivity
7:30 a.m.Registration and Breakfast
8:00–9:30 a.m.Distinguished Lecture

Mentoring Matters Summer Institute

The Summer Institute is a two-day, interactive event supporting faculty members, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students in developing mentoring skills through discovery and understanding.

May 21-22, 2025

Featured Speakers

Maria LaMonaca Wisdom
Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement
Duke University

Tamara Bertrand Jones
Professor of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, College of Education

William Bernhard
Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Interim Associate Chancellor and Vice Provost for Budget and Resource Planning

Summer Institute Schedule

May 21

TimeActivity
7:30 a.m.Registration and Breakfast
8:00–9:30 a.m.Distinguished Lecture
9:45–3:30 p.m.Workshop

May 22

TimeActivity
7:30 a.m.Breakfast
8:00–3:00 p.m.Workshop

Resources

2025 resources coming soon.

Archive

See the Mentoring Matters @ Illinois Archive for topics in previous academic years.