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Cheryl-Lee-Howard Headshot

For more information, contact Jennifer Harman at Jennifer_Harman@urmc.rochester.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.

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The 2025 mentor pairs are listed below. Please head to NCURA Collaborate for member profile information.

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  • Juliana Brush, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences/Hilary Mosher, University of Rochester

  • Jaycee Turner, University of Rochester/Mary Louise Healy, Johns Hopkins University

  • Haley Chavez, Mercy University/Gillian Silver, Morgan State University

  • Jennifer Surrena, Penn State University (Behrend College) /Erin Pyrek, Cornell University

  • Ana Tricoli, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia/ Magui Cardona, University of Baltimore

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.

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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 Presentation Topic for the regional meeting. The Mentee/Mentor Pair will also lead the group on one of the monthly calls and cover a different or related topic of interest. 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.

 

Applicants should ensure availability for a pre-Regional Meeting retreat in Saratoga Springs, NY beginning the evening of Saturday, October 18 – 22, 2025. All meals during the retreat will be covered by the Region; the mentee’s institution will be responsible for lodging the night of October 18.


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.

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Following the program conclusion, exceptional mentees will have the opportunity to serve as future mentors and program leaders.  Additionally, all graduates of the program are expected to be available to lead Region II webinars on topics of their choice. The Group will discuss other means of networking, volunteerism, and engagement with NCURA resources throughout the course of the program.

Roles and Responsibilities


Mentee will:

  • Develop and refine a Leadership and/or Professional Development Plan, in consultation with the 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

  • Attend and fully participate in the Mentor Me Retreat held immediately prior to the Regional Meeting in Saratoga Springs, NY (retreat begins the evening of Saturday, October 18, 2025).

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

    • Attending and presenting at the Regional Meeting Saratoga Springs, NY on October 19 - 22, 2025), with or without the mentor

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

    • Presenting at least one Region II webinar (with or without the mentor) following the program’s conclusion.

  • Obtain their institution’s written support, including partial financial support for travel to and attendance at the Region II meeting and the Mentor Me retreat, and time for their participation in this program for its duration.

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Mentor will:

  • Assist Mentee in setting his/her goals and objectives

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

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

  • Participate in monthly calls with all mentors and mentees

  • 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

  • Serves on the Mentor Me Committee from April – March at which point a new cohort is selected

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Mentor Me Committee Will:

  • Includes Mentors from the current cohort

  • 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 all cohort activities

Timeline - 2025 Mentor Me Cycle (April 2025-January 2026)

March 14, 2025:  Nominations/self-nominations due
March 28, 2025:  Mentees are notified of selection.
October 18 - 19, 2025: Mentor Me retreat in Saratoga Springs, NY (immediately prior to Regional Meeting)

October 19 - 22, 2025: Regional Meeting, Saratoga Springs, NY

January 2026:  Program conclusion

FAQS

  • What is the time commitment?

    • Ten (10) months.

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  • How much does it cost?

    • Region II covers registration fees and meals during meeting hours for the Regional Meeting in the fall

    • Mentee/mentee’s institution is responsible for travel and lodging for the Regional Meeting in ​Saratoga Springs, NY

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  • How many slots are available?

    • Up to five (5) mentee slots per year.​

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  • How do I sign up?

    • Download Mentee Application: Word, PDF

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