Tenure-Track Mentoring Program
The Bellevue College Tenure-Track Mentoring Program, formalized by the faculty contract and facilitated by the Faculty Commons, is designed to support recently hired full-time faculty as they adjust to and navigate the first year of the tenure process. Recognizing that each tenure candidate is different—some are experienced teachers while others are brand new to teaching, some are long-time Puget Sound residents while others just moved to the area—the mentoring program offers one-on-one and small group mentoring as well as cohort activities to help each individual in each tenure cohort feel supported and part of a larger faculty community.
Support Opportunities
Participation in the mentoring program provides tenure-track candidates with opportunities to:
- navigate the first year of the tenure process
- orient themselves to the college
- reflect on their personal and professional goals
- foster meaningful working relationships outside their program and division
- foster a sense of community within the first-year tenure cohort
- receive constructive feedback related to their teaching
- familiarize themselves with the offerings in the Faculty Commons.
The mentoring program also provides meaningful opportunities for mentors to grow professionally through mentor training, interdisciplinary connections, leadership development, and reflective mentoring practice.
Year-long One-On-One Mentoring
- This part of the Tenure Mentoring Program usually kicks off in the fall quarter. Each tenure candidate is assigned a tenured faculty mentor. These mentors are considered tenure process neutral and do not fill out a peer evaluation or otherwise inform the tenure process.
- Note: All mentors receive training in mindful, culturally responsive mentoring when they enter the program and ongoing support from the Tenure Mentoring Program Lead. Refresher training is available as needed.
- Each mentor-mentee pair is expected to maintain confidentiality and meet for at least 6 hours in total throughout the academic year to support the candidate in those areas that the candidate most needs/wants support. These meetings may be in-person, online, or on the phone depending on preference.
- Tenure candidates are also encouraged to connect with Zhenzhen He-Weatherford, the Mentoring Program Lead, who serves as an informal mentor and liaison between the tenure candidate, their mentor, and the broader campus community. The Mentoring Lead is considered tenure process neutral and does not fill out a peer evaluation or otherwise inform the tenure process.
Other Optional Community Support and Networking Events (throughout the year)
- Quarterly mentoring socials: All mentoring pairs are invited to attend Fall, Winter, and Spring Mentoring Program Socials held in the Faculty Commons. These laid-back events offer an opportunity to connect with peers in both the Adjunct and Tenure-Track Faculty Mentoring Programs.
- Tenure-Track Teaching Square: A quarter-long but low-key teaching observation opportunity. Participating faculty members are divided into groups of four and engage in reciprocal, non-judgmental, and self-reflective teaching observations.
- A professional development workshop focused on pedagogy, such as the Antiracist Assessment and Teaching (Alternative Grading) workshop.
- Other examples of our past community-building events include Faculty Handbook Trivia and AI Brown Bag.
Adjunct Mentoring Program: 2026–2027 Cohort
All adjunct faculty currently teaching at Bellevue College are invited to participate in the Adjunct Mentoring Program as mentees—even if you’ve participated before! You’ll be matched with a trained mentor to support your professional growth, explore teaching at BC, and build connections in a supportive, non-evaluative environment.
Fall Quarter 2026: Foundational Mentoring Experience
One-on-One Mentoring
Participants meet with their mentor approximately six (6) times throughout the quarter, either virtually or in person, scheduled around their availability. Mentor/mentee pairings are based on a survey of your interests and needs.
During Fall Quarter, mentees explore their roles and responsibilities within Bellevue College’s culture of Teaching and Learning Excellence. With guidance from a trained mentor, you can choose to focus on areas such as:
Teaching strategies, syllabi, grading, or understanding our student population
Navigating BC’s institutional culture and communication systems
Using campus resources, such as student services and faculty support
Engaging with campus life, governance, and professional networks
Preparing for full-time faculty opportunities
Managing work/life balance, relocation, and more
6 PD Hours, sign-up by Friday, October 2, Register Here
Winter Quarter Optional Mentoring Extension Project
Extension & Application of Mentoring (optional, based on mentor/mentee agreement)
Winter Quarter builds on the Fall mentoring experience. Participants may choose to continue working with the same mentor in Winter for an additional six (6) hours of professional development. This phase is designed to be cumulative, offering an opportunity to deepen the relationship and apply ideas developed in Fall through a collaborative project.
Mentoring pairs co-design a project aligned with the mentee’s goals. Examples include:
- Mentoring support for a conference proposal or publication
- Pursuing leadership roles or service in campus governance
- Researching and adopting Open Educational Resources (OER)
- Developing alternative grading or assessment strategies
- Reciprocal classroom observations
- A “two-person book/journal club” in a shared research interest
- To participate, mentoring pairs submit a brief project proposal to the Adjunct Support Lead. The proposal form will be available in the Winter Quarter Faculty Commons Program.
Quarterly Mentoring Socials
All mentoring pairs are invited to attend Fall, Winter, and Spring Mentoring Program Socials held in the Faculty Commons. These events offer an opportunity to connect with peers in both the Adjunct and Tenure-Track Faculty Mentoring Programs.
Still have questions? Email Chloe Horning to learn more about how the program works.
Last Updated August 13, 2026