top of page
Cheryl-Lee-Howard Headshot

For more information, contact Mary Louise Healy at mhealy11@jhu.edu.

On December 18, 2013, the Region II Steering Committee voted to rename the ‘Mentor Me’ program in honor of Cheryl-Lee Howard.

Learn more about Cheryl-Lee, and her sterling career in research administration.

The Cheryl-Lee Howard Mentor Me Program is a mentoring program providing educational and professional development opportunities by and for the members of the Region which will strengthen and increase the number of new and emerging leaders in research administration actively involved in NCURA. Both the Mentee and Mentor must be NCURA members in order to participate.

Overview


The Mentor Me Program provides a one-on-one, targeted approach to learning about the field of research administration and NCURA at both the regional and national levels. The program matches a Mentee with a Mentor who has complementary skills, background, and experience to assist them in identifying leadership and professional development goals and objectives. The mentee will benefit from the one on one pairing, but will also participate and draw from experiences of the group as a whole. A benefit of the program structure is connection with a group of experienced research administrators with a complement of skills.

​

The Mentor will also help the Mentee formulate a Leadership and/or Professional Development (L&PD) Plan, a critically important element of the Program. This Plan will include the identification of a Leadership Project, which will include a presentation at next year’s regional meeting in the fall (2023 meeting November 12-15 in Annapolis, Maryland). Professional Development can include a career plan aimed towards promotion or for transition to a different position or on ways to improve a current position. This is a team effort between the Mentor and the Mentee.


Graduates of this program have found success both at work and using this program as a stepping stone to additional involvement in NCURA professional programs. Previous mentees have leveraged this program and the connections with other professionals to aid in promotion, volunteer in Regional and National leadership roles, leadership skill-building, presentation skill-building, job changes, enhancement of skills/knowledge, and to increase their professional network.

​

Following the program conclusion, exceptional mentees will have the opportunity to serve as future mentors and program leaders.

Roles and Responsibilities


Mentee

  • Develop a Leadership and/or Professional Development Plan, in consultation with Mentor, that includes measurable and achievable leadership and/or professional development goals and objectives

  • Be available, responsive and respectful of time commitments

  • Participate fully in scheduled phone meetings

  • Remain open to feedback from Mentor

  • Seek opportunities to continually grow professionally, and to contribute to NCURA at the regional and national levels.  This includes

    • Presenting at the Regional Meeting, with or without the mentor

    • Volunteering for at least one shift at the registration desk at the Regional Meeting

  • Must have his/her institution’s written support, including partial financial support for travel to and attendance at the Region II meeting, time for participation in the Retreat, and for their participation in this program for its duration.

​

Mentor

  • Assist Mentee in setting his/her goals and objectives

  • Help the Mentee devise a viable Leadership and/or Professional Development Plan

  • Be accessible to Mentee based on a mutually agreed upon schedule

  • Participate in monthly calls with Program Committee

  • Enthusiastically share information, skills and knowledge

  • Provide constructive feedback

  • Serve as a thoughtful listener and supportive advisor

  • Encourage opportunities for professional growth and volunteer contributions

​

Mentor Me Program Committee

  • Develop Mentor Me Program, content and materials

  • Identify and recruit suitable Mentors

  • Match Mentors with Mentees

  • Help resolve issues and concerns

  • Monitor Program progress, including through monthly calls/meetings with all Mentors and Mentees

  • Provide programmatic guidance and helpful on-line resource tools

  • Annually evaluate the Mentor Me Program

  • Arrange all logistics for retreat

Feather 7
Feather 5
Feather 6
Feather 3
Feather 1
Feather 1

Timeline - 2024 Mentor Me Cycle

December 2023: Application materials available
March 4, 2024:  Nominations/self-nominations due
March 25, 2024:  Mentees are notified of selection
April 2024 – January 2025:  Mentor Me program timeline
June 2024:  One and a half-day retreat partially in preparation for the Region II Regional meeting
November 3 - 6, 2024: Regional Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA

January 2024: Program conclusion

Feather 4_edited.png

Timeline - 2023 Mentor Me Cycle

Feather 1

March 15, 2023:  Nominations/self-nominations due
March 27, 2023:  Mentees are notified of selection.
April 2023 – January 2024:  Mentor Me program timeline
June 7-9, 2023:  One and a half-day retreat partially in preparation for the Region II Regional meeting
November 12-15, 2023: Regional Meeting, Annapolis, Maryland

January 2024:  Program conclusion

  • What is the time commitment?

    • Ten (10) months.

​

  • How much does it cost?

    • Region II covers travel and lodging for a retreat at a location yet to be determined in June 2024, as well as registration fees and meals during meeting hours for the 2024 Regional Meeting.

    • Mentee/mentee's institution is responsible for travel and lodging for the Regional Meeting

​

  • How many slots are available?

    • Up to six (6) mentee slots per year.​

​

  • How do I sign up?

    • Application materials will be available in December.

FAQS

Feather 5
bottom of page