Abracadabra! Explore the art of mentorship. Discover how thoughtful pairings can boost faculty morale, enhance teaching, and create a vibrant network of scholarly wizards. Enchant your institution with engaged faculty!

Long Abstract: In the mystical realm of academia, where knowledge and inspiration intertwine, lies the secret to unlocking faculty potential: mentorship. Join us in this enchanting session as we delve into the art of strategic pairings and reveal how they can transform your institution’s teaching landscape. Whether you’re an instructional designer or a seasoned faculty member, prepare to be spellbound by the possibilities. [NOTE: Areas of the category "Student Support and Empowerment" addressed: 1) Approaches to peer-to-peer learning, mentoring, and tutoring, and 2) Humanizing online learning experiences] Outline: 1. The Alchemy of Mentorship A. Introduction to Mentorship: -- Unveil the ancient scrolls that chronicle the origins of mentorship. -- Explore the symbiotic relationship between mentors and mentees. B. Faculty Morale Elixirs: -- Potion #1: Personalized Support: Share real-world examples of how individualized mentorship can boost faculty morale, and highlight success stories where mentorship led to increased job satisfaction and motivation. -- Potion #2: Building Resilience: Discuss strategies for helping faculty navigate challenges and setbacks, and illustrate instances where mentorship provided the magical antidote to burnout. C. Teaching Transformation Spells: -- Spell #1: Pedagogical Alchemy: Showcase innovative teaching methods resulting from mentor-mentee collaborations, and detail how mentorship can enhance course design, assessment, and student engagement. -- Spell #2: Curriculum Enchantment: Share case studies where mentorship breathed new life into outdated curricula; highlight the ripple effect of improved teaching practices on student learning outcomes. D. Creating a Scholarly Wizard Network: -- Ingredients for Success: Gather the mystical components needed to establish a vibrant mentorship network; discuss the role of cross-disciplinary pairings in fostering scholarly growth. E. Summoning the Council: -- Describe how mentorship circles and peer learning communities can amplify impact. -- Provide examples of institutions that have harnessed collective wisdom through mentor networks. 2. Enchanting Your Institution: A. Spreading the Magic: Explore strategies for institutionalizing faculty mentorship programs. Highlight the benefits of mentorship for faculty retention, professional development, and institutional culture. B. Challenges and Counter-Spells: Address common obstacles to effective mentorship. Share practical solutions and dispel myths surrounding mentorship. C. The Ongoing Quest: Encourage participants to embark on their own mentorship journeys. Conclude with an invitation to join the ranks of scholarly wizards committed to faculty and student growth. Prepare to be bewitched by the transformative power of faculty peer mentorship! Participants will engage throughout the session by planning their spells, counterspells, and other alchemy. They will leave with a self-created plan to implement a simple mentorship exercise and additional ideas to expand in the future. References: Hoffman, J., Blessinger, P., & Makhanya, M. (Eds.). (2019). Strategies for facilitating inclusive campuses in higher education : international perspectives on equity and inclusion (1st ed.). Emerald Publishing. Available at https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/apus/detail.action?docID=5833986 Mortaz Hejri, S., Steinert, Y., Elizov, M., Boillat, M., & Fellows, L. K. (2021). An interdisciplinary peer mentoring program for faculty members. Medical Education, 55(11), 1331–1332. https://doi-org.ezproxy2.apus.edu/10.1111/medu.14633/ available at https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=ehh&AN=153093022&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Sotirin, P., & Goltz, S. M. (2023). Mid‐career faculty peer mentoring: Rationale and program design. New Directions for Higher Education, 2023(201–202), 5–19. https://doi.org/10.1002/he.20467/ available at https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=ehh&AN=164481075&site=ehost-live&scope=site.