Leadership Vanderbilt (formerly the Leadership Development Forum) provides staff members with professional development opportunities dedicated to strengthening their leadership abilities and providing insight into the inner workings of the university. The mentoring program associated with Leadership Vanderbilt enhances the opportunities already available to LV participants by supporting and encouraging interaction between more experienced Vanderbilt professionals with newer or less experienced Vanderbilt professionals.

Who are Mentors and Protégés?

A mentor is a trusted counselor, guide, coach or advisor. Mentors are Leadership Vanderbilt alumni who have volunteered to participate in this program.

A protégé is an individual seeking assistance, knowledge or guidance. An individual becomes a protégé by requesting a mentor while they are participating in the Leadership Vanderbilt program. LV participants are not required to participate in the Mentoring Program.

What is Expected of Mentors and Protégés?

Mentors and protégés are mutually committed to a beneficial mentoring relationship which requires honesty, openness, commitment, and effort by both individuals. The mentor and protégé:

• Identify objectives, goals and developmental needs
• Define and establish a plan to accomplish protégé goals
• Meet regularly in person (at least one hour per month) to review and evaluate progress
• Commit to a one-year relationship although it may be extended through a mutual agreement
• Agree to the list of expectations described in this document
• Submit an evaluation of the program after four and eight months

The relationship should provide a risk-free learning environment where both individuals are committed to trust and confidentiality. Both the mentor and protégé must use good judgment with proprietary information and also be aware of conflict of interest issues. The mentoring relationship may be concluded through a mutual decision to end the relationship.

back to top

Additional Expectations of the Mentor

• Provide information about Vanderbilt and familiarize the protégé with organizational processes and procedures
• Facilitate a positive connection to the campus
• Introduce the protégé to people in the organization
  
• Listen and offer feedback
  
• Recommend developmental activities
  
• Suggest and provide resources
  
• Communicate experiences and challenges
  
• Serve as a role model, offering penalty-free advice and counsel, and providing candid feedback to the protégé
  

Mentor Benefits

Both mentors and protégés experience benefits from the mentoring program. Mentors gain exposure to new perspectives from the protégés and expand their professional networks. They enhance their coaching, feedback, and leadership skills. Most importantly, they gain personal satisfaction from helping others discover and reach their potential.

back to top

Additional Expectations of the Protégé

• Ask questions
  
• Listen
  
• Share ongoing career planning and development
  
• Be open to the mentor’s suggestions
  
• Keep the lines of communication open
  
• Demonstrate progress towards fulfillment of goals

Protégé Benefits

Benefits to the protégé are numerous including the opportunity to develop additional networks and increase their visibility. They receive valuable career guidance and can utilize the mentor as a sounding board. They receive assistance as they learn to adapt to changing professional and organizational circumstances.

back to top

How are Mentors and Protégés Matched?

A small volunteer committee consisting of Leadership Vanderbilt alums will match mentors and protégés. Both mentors and protégés will be asked to complete an application/information form. The application form contains a list of topics for possible discussion between mentors and protégés. Protégés will be asked to identify topics they would like to discuss with their mentors and mentors will be asked to identify topics they would feel comfortable discussing with the protégés. The matching committee will use this information when pairing protégés and mentors. In addition, a brief bio sketch of all mentor volunteers will be provided to protégé applicants. The protégés may identify individuals who they think will be appropriate mentors. If one of the mentors they have requested has a similar set of topics of interest, the matching committee will pair them together. If the topics do not match, the committee may decide to identify another mentor who shares similar topics of interest with the protégé.

How Can I Participate in this Program?

Any interested participant in the current LV program may request a mentor. Any interested LV alumnus may volunteer to be a mentor. Both must complete an information form and submit it to the LV Matching Committee. Because the number of mentors and protégés is unknown, the committee cannot guarantee that every interested mentor will be matched with a protégé. Mentors who do not have a protégé will be matched first during the next offering of the program.

Mentor information form | Protégé information form

Questions?

If you have additional questions about the Leadership Vanderbilt Mentoring Program, please contact Pam Brown, Director, The Organizational Effectiveness Team, Human Resources, VU Station B, 357700 or at 343-1291 or Pamela.Brown@Vanderbilt.edu.

back to top