Mentoring in Higher Education Should be the Norm to Assure Success: Lessons Learned from the Faculty Mentoring Program, West Chester University, 2008-2011

Despite a wealth of qualitative and quantitative data regarding the positive effects of higher education mentoring programs on faculty satisfaction, retention, tenure, and promotion, mentoring programs are not widespread. The authors examine evaluative data from the first four years of the Faculty Mentoring Program at West Chester University. Of the mentors and mentees who filled out evaluation surveys, 100% recommend the program to colleagues and the majority felt the program should become part of the culture and expectations at the university. Common themes emerged from content analysis of qualitative data: (a) centrality of relationship; (b) mentoring for planning and prioritizing career goals; (c) acquiring new skills; and (d) time and scheduling challenges.