The College of Rehabilitation Sciences recently launched a new program designed to foster professional growth, collaboration and support among new academic faculty in the professorial and instructor academic streams.
The two-year structured mentorship program includes both regular one-on-one meetings between the mentors and mentees as well as group meetings to discuss topics like setting up research funds or discovering teaching resources and guidelines.
“It’s really about engaging in the culture of the college and trying to help new people feel a part of a community as they come on board,” said Dr. Jacquie Ripat, associate dean, research.
Ripat said the program drew inspiration from other successful mentorship programs. Dr. Susan McClement, senior scholar from the College of Nursing, helped with its development and evaluation process.
“She’s been really instrumental,” Ripat said.
Currently there are eight pairs of mentors and mentees in the program’s first cohort.
Dr. Mayson Sousa, assistant professor in the department of respiratory therapy, joined the college in January. Originally from Brazil, Sousa completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto last year. This is his first academic position, and he sees great value in the mentorship program.
Working with mentor Dr. Ed Giesbrecht, senior scholar in the department of occupational therapy, Sousa is working on a strategic plan that balances the research, teaching and service elements of his position.
“I think it’s really good to set milestones and create a plan that can help me grow in the university and contribute effectively,” he said.
Giesbrecht said he appreciated the unofficial mentorship he received early in his career, and that the structured program can only strengthen this for new faculty.
“Talking to the people who are the mentors, I think people are excited to take on that role. Many of us reflect back on when we first came to the university and we can remember those feelings of not knowing who to ask about the academic culture,” he said. “Being able to offer that to new faculty in a more organized and structured way, I think is both a brilliant idea and a good opportunity to share some of wisdom.”
The program kicked off with a meet-and-greet at Canad Inns at Health Sciences Centre on Sept. 18. Ripat hosted the event and an opening greeting was given by Elder Charlotte Nolin of Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, who spoke about the importance of mentors in her own journey.
“We never know what’s going to come in our lives. If someone had said to me at six years old that one day I would work at the University of Manitoba, that one day I would lead a Sundance, these things have come to pass because, along the way, I found mentors who took me under their wing and taught me things,” Nolin said.