Today is the deadline for applying to the CSW mentoring program for junior faculty. I apologize for the short notice as the application deadline is today. There are slots available. If you are interested in participating, contact Carolyn Byerly, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or Anita Rife-Fleming, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

More information below:

Because the feedback from the inaugural year’s mentor and mentee participants has been both positive and encouraging, the Commission on the Status of Women is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for participation in the Mentorship Project for the academic year 2012-2013.  The project, now in its second year, is designed to pair senior mentors with junior mentees who are in the early to mid-career stages in order to support mentees’ success and advancement in the journalism & mass communication field.

The CSW membership launched this project in August 2010.  It grew out of a year-long planning effort by the Commission to address the standing need for providing an institutional method to help advance women in journalism and mass communication education.

The project respects the mentee’s own university personnel guidelines on hiring, promotion and tenure.

 While Carolyn Byerly (Howard U) and Anita Fleming-Rife (U of Northern Colorado) are the co-chairs, we are seeking volunteers to serve on the selection committee.  If you are interested, we ask that you please contact either co-chair at the contact information provided below.

Basic details:

Q. Who will participate:
A.  Mentees (junior colleagues) are envisioned to be only women.  Mentors (senior colleagues) are envisioned to be mainly female but males will be welcome, too.

Q. How will it work?
A.  The project will be coordinated by two senior scholars (“co-facilitators”).  They will receive the applications and negotiate the “match” between mentors and mentees.  Applications will be available on the CSW website as well as from both co-facilitators.

Q.  As a junior colleague, why might I want or need a mentor?
A.  Developing a research strategy, preparing a strong promotion or tenure file, problem-solving some specific issues in one’s department are some of the reasons you might seek a mentor.

Q.  If I want to be a mentor, what are the expectations?
A.  Mentors will be asked to assume responsibility for only one mentee at a time.  You will indicate on your application what you can and/or are willing to do in your mentor role.  All mentorship agreements will be finalized in writing (with a letter to each originating from the project co-facilitators) so both mentor and mentee can operate with clear guidelines.

Q.  How long will a mentorship last?
A.  Most will be 6 months--no longer than a year.

Those who want to participate as either a mentor, mentee, or volunteer should contact either Carolyn Byerly, [log in to unmask]; or Anita Fleming-Rife, [log in to unmask]
Deadline: September 30, 2012.