These guidelines are to ensure the success of junior faculty by providing mentoring in the areas of research, teaching and service, and to help integrate the faculty into the culture of the Microbiology Department. Mentors will also support the faculty member through the process of promotion and tenure, providing consistency during that process.

Mentoring of tenure-track faculty

Selection of mentors

All newly hired assistant professors are appointed mentors by the department head. This selection is held in consultation with the mentee to ensure a proper match based upon similar research interests, teaching focus and the ability to work well together and will consist of the following:

• Research Mentor: A department member that provides research mentorship.
• Teaching Mentor: The chair of the Peer Review of Teaching Committee, who provides mentorship and evaluation of teaching (see guidelines for Peer Review of Teaching Committee)

Relationship with the mentors

• Expectations for meetings with the teaching mentor are outlined in the Peer Review of Teaching Guidelines
• It is expected that the research mentor and mentee will meet formally at least once a year. This meeting should occur prior to submission of the mentee's annual review (ideally sometime in winter term, as annual reviews are conducted on the calendar year).
• Mentors and mentees can call other meetings as needed.
• Together, the mentee and mentors should review research and teaching progress and service commitments, as well as set/review goals and expectations for the upcoming year.
• The mentor will serve as an advocate for the mentee when appropriate. Both the mentor and mentee must agree on the approach and direction for addressing issues in which an advocate is needed.
• Mentors are expected to take notes during the meeting and send a follow-up note to the mentee and department head.
• Mentors will also provide leadership through the third-year review and P&T process.
  - The research mentor will serve as the lead on the P&T submission package, providing guidance to the mentee and soliciting external support letters (see Dept. Micorbiol. P&T guidelines)
  - The teaching mentor will provide a letter of evaluation of teaching as described in the Peer Review of Teaching Committee Guidelines and according to the schedule of the Department P&T guidelines

Problems that may arise

• While every effort will be put into place to ensure a proper match between mentor and mentee, it may be that there is a better fit. In this case, the mentee may discuss with the had the possibility of switching mentors.
• If the mentor leaves the university, the had, in consultation with the mentee, will appoint a new mentor.

Providing continued mentoring for associate professors is valued and after promotion to associate professor, the faculty mentor will meet with the department head and/or the research mentor to discuss an appropriate strategy.