Tenure-Track Mentoring Program
The Bellevue College Tenure-Track Mentoring Program is run by the Faculty Commons and supported by the Office of Academic Affairs. It 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 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.
One-On-One Mentoring
- 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. Each mentor-mentee pair is expected to maintain confidentiality and meet for at least two hours per quarter 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. The Mentoring Lead is considered tenure process neutral and does not fill out a peer evaluation or otherwise inform the tenure process.
Adjunct Mentoring Program
The Faculty Commons Adjunct Mentoring Program brings new and current faculty together with trained mentors to provide support in a coordinated way. A survey of needs helps us create a meaningful mentoring pair. Mentors can provide an early point of connection, to orient and welcome faculty to the Bellevue College campus community and resources, as well as support instruction or receive support to advance their career.
Since the start of the Adjunct Mentoring Program in Fall 2017, 70 adjunct faculty have received 350 hours of mentoring with a trained faculty mentor. Mentors have received a total of 53 hours of mentor training. Adjunct faculty from all 7 areas of the college have received mentoring, by 23 different mentors from 5 divisions. Mentoring pairs have also had access to 452 hours of one-on-one support by the Adjunct Support Lead.
Our program promotes connection, communication, trust, and community. To support the growth of our faculty, we incorporate the practice of reflection on each instructor’s current position, goals, and teaching approaches. Mentors are afforded a significant leadership opportunity and a chance to re-invigorate their passion for their career by sharing their expertise with others.
Adjunct Mentoring Program: Fall 2024-Winter 2025 Cohort
All adjunct faculty who are currently teaching at BC are eligible to participate in the Mentoring Program as mentees, even if you’ve participated before. We are re-opening the registration for new mentees to be matched with a mentor for Winter Quarter 2025.
Winter Quarter Mentoring
One–on–One Mentoring – Approximately six (6) virtual or in-person one-on-one meeting(s) with your mentor, scheduled at your available times throughout the quarter.
Mentoring pairs are matched based on a survey of needs. Mentees explore their roles, responsibilities, and individual goals within the scope of the Bellevue College culture of Teaching and Learning Excellence with the guidance of an advocate in their trained mentor without the pressure of formal evaluation. Focus areas mentees can choose to work on with their mentor may include but are not limited to:
- Improving instruction such as teaching techniques, understanding our BC student population, grading, syllabi, etc.
- Navigating the power, political, and cultural structures of the college
- Understanding institutional processes such as policies, procedures, formal/informal communication processes
- Engaging with campus resources such as: student-facing services, faculty support
- Getting involved in campus/student life
- Collaborating across departments & divisions, getting involved in governance, building networks
- Applying for a Full-Time Temporary/Tenure Track Faculty Position
- Maintaining work/life balance, relocating to the area, etc.
6 PD Hours | Sign up for Winter Quarter before Friday, January 17!
Winter Quarter: Optional mentoring extension project
*For Mentoring pairs that began their mentoring relationship in Fall 2024*
Approximately six (6) additional virtual or in-person one-on-one meeting(s) with your mentor, scheduled at your available times throughout the quarter.
Mentors and mentees who were matched in Fall 2024 can choose to continue working together in Winter Quarter for an additional six (6) hours of professional development with a specific project or goal of their choosing in mind. Some ideas for potential projects could include:
- Ongoing mentoring for a mentee project such as a conference or paper proposal.
- Ongoing mentoring for a mentee’s pursuit of a leadership position in campus governance.
- Researching, evaluating, and selecting OER or other alternative learning objects
- Developing an alternative grading or assessment strategy
- Reciprocal classroom observation
- “Two-person book/journal club” targeted reading and discussion in a research area.
Mentoring teams may submit a short proposal to the Adjunct Support Lead for their extension project.
If you are interested in a mentoring extension, please contact Chloe Horning, Adjunct Support Lead chloe.horning@bellevuecollege.edu.
Quarterly Mentoring Socials (Winter, Spring)
Additionally, adjunct mentoring teams will be invited to attend quarterly Mentoring Program Socials in the Faculty Commons, where they can socialize with their peers in the Adjunct Mentoring Program and the Tenure-Track Faculty Mentoring Program.
Open to adjunct faculty. Questions about how it works? Email Chloe Horning for more information.
Advocacy
President and VPs Office Hours
Take advantage of a direct connection to leadership! Come and talk with the president and vice presidents during their office hours. They are interested in hearing what’s happening in your area of the college as well as brainstorming improvements. We make every effort to schedule each person at least once per quarter. Because of their ever-changing schedules, watch for our weekly emails for the most up-to-date schedule. You can also visit their SharePoint site for more information about the areas on campus they oversee and their initiatives.
Faculty Commons Leads Office Hours
All of the Leads in the Commons hold weekly office hours to support you. You may drop in or contact the Leads directly to schedule an appointment or communicate via email. The current Leads are:
- Zhenzhen He-Weatherford – Tenure-Track Mentoring
- Chloe Horning – Adjunct Support Lead
- Nan Ma – Chair
Last Updated January 27, 2025