The Staff Mentoring Program (SMP) is designed to support the professional growth of new faculty members at the Lecturer and Assistant Professor levels. The initiative pairs new faculty with experienced peers from their academic unit, providing structured guidance during their initial year at UIC. In Semester 2 of 2024–2025, SMP offered a series of three workshops facilitated by Dr. Edith Yan, Educational Developer at the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). The workshops focused on building effective mentoring relationships and fostering reflective teaching practices.

Workshop 1: Building an Effective Mentoring Relationship (12 March 2025)

This session introduced the goals and key concepts of mentoring. Participants explored the four-phase mentoring cycle and discussed the five key qualities of effective mentors. The workshop encouraged both mentors and mentees to actively cultivate their mentoring networks to support long-term growth.

Participants shared their opinions in the workshop

Workshop 2: Developing Reflective Teaching Practice (19 March 2025)

The second workshop introduced six core principles of reflective practice and guided participants in applying the five key questions for teaching reflection. Mentors and mentees shared examples from their own contexts and engaged in peer dialogue to deepen their understanding of reflective strategies in professional practice.

Group photo of participants in the second workshop

Workshop 3: Brewing Reflective Practice – Sharing Insights from Our Teaching (28 April 2025)

The final session provided a relaxed and informal space for mentor-mentee pairs to share their experiences implementing reflective teaching practices. Dr. Vivien Wai Wan Chan and Dr. Milen Gotchev Jissov presented certificates to participants, recognizing their dedication to the program. The workshop concluded with informal discussion, a questionnaire survey, and a celebration of the participants’ shared learning journey.

Dr. Vivien Chan presents certificates to mentors and mentees

Dr. Milen Jissov presents certificates to mentors and mentees

In conclusion, through this series, the Staff Mentoring Program has fostered meaningful connections among faculty while promoting reflective and collaborative teaching practices. The workshops offered a platform for dialogue, professional growth, and shared commitment to enhancing the student learning experience at BNBU.