The Boise State University Interdisciplinary Mentoring Program is a year-long, structured initiative designed to support the professional development and integration of new full-time faculty. Here’s how it works: 

• Pairing Across Disciplines:
  Each new faculty member who requests a mentor is paired with an experienced faculty mentor from a different academic discipline, fostering fresh perspectives and campus-wide collaboration.

• Monthly Meetings:
  Mentor–mentee pairs commit to meeting at least once per month, through both the fall and spring semesters, ensuring consistent engagement and growth opportunities.

• Guided Framework:
  Participants receive guided questions and structured reflection prompts—carefully crafted to address common challenges (e.g. teaching transitions, research planning, work-life balance) and to highlight campus resources and support services.

• Mutual Learning Focus:
  This is a two-way mentorship: mentors are not only sharing their experience but are also encouraged to learn from the unique perspectives and ideas that mentees bring.

This program is just one part of Boise State’s broader mentoring ecosystem, complementing department-level mentoring, peer mentoring groups, and thematic mentorship communities (e.g., research or teaching-focused circles). 

Use the First Meeting Checklist to help guide a meaningful and productive first meeting with your mentoring partner. The checklist includes the following action items:

1. Get to Know Each Other

2. Establish Guidelines

3. Review the Partnership Agreement

4. Confirm Next Steps