session 3 (1:00 - 2:30): workshops

Using the Individual Development Plan (IDP)
as an Effective Mentoring Tool
Workshop |  Kansas City

Dr. Christine Getz, Dean, School of Graduate Studies 

The session will begin with an overview of the various Individual Development Plan (IDP) templates available and how mentors and mentees can use them effectively in graduate and postdoctoral education. It will emphasize how the IDP can be used to create a space in which the mentee and their mentor(s) align expectations and mutually plan and adjust career preparation that is supplementary to the curriculum of graduate programs and to postdoc research assignments. Following an introduction to the tools and their purpose, participants will adopt the roles of mentor and mentee in experimenting with the plans and thereafter discuss how best practices in mentoring are supported by them. 

At the end of this interactive workshop participants will:   

• The Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a tool that supports a forthright discussion between a graduate student or postdoc and their mentor(s) about the mentee’s career aspirations. It supports exploration of how the basic curriculum or research agenda can be supplemented with professional experiences in preparation for the post-graduate career.

• The primary purpose of the IDP is to facilitate mutual discussion and align mentor-mentee expectations for the graduate or postdoc career and beyond.

• The IDP is not an academic progress report or document to be used for evaluation.

Building Mentoring Relationships for Academic Leaders
Workshop | Brush Creek Room

Dr. Lorie Holt, CAFE; Dr. Arif Ahmed, Henry W. Bloch School of Management, and Dr. Kylie Barnes. School of Pharmacy

Mentoring is an essential leadership skill. In addition to managing and motivating people, it is also important to help others learn, grow and become more effective in their academic careers. Helping people mover their career in the right direction is a key element in developing people. Providing the guidance and support individual faculty need to overcome challenges, develop new skills and improve their performance are all essential to being an effective leader. Mentored faculty report feeling supported, valued, and empowered within the organization leading to higher job satisfaction and loyalty.  Academic leaders' capacity for effective mentorship can yield individual and institutional benefits. Moreover, mentoring fosters a sense of community and collaboration, driving organizational success and growth in the long term. As with most skills, some people are naturally better at mentorship than others. However, mentorship is a skill that can and should be developed in all academic leaders. Join us as we explore how to develop a framework for effective mentorship in a leadership role that involves learning how to regularly engage in supportive and motivating conversations. 

At the end of this interactive workshop participants will:   

• Understand the importance mentorship plays as part of being an academic leader.   

• Better understand how to navigate critical mentoring conversations using Appreciative Inquiry and Motivational Interviewing.   

• Gain the knowledge and ability to use tools such as an Environmental Scan and Developmental Network Assessment as an aid for career advancement.   

Mentoring for Creative Breakthroughs: Guiding Problem-Solving through Creative Thinking Styles
Workshop | Paseo Room

Dr. Marsha Huber, Henry W. Bloch School of Management

This session, Mentoring for Creative Edge: Boosting Impact by Understanding Creative Thinking Preferences, focuses on equipping mentors with dynamic tools to spark creativity and innovation in their mentees. Based on the Foresight theory of creative thinking preferences-clarifying, ideating, developing, and implementing-this session will empower mentors to adapt their strategies, helping both faculty and students unlock their full potential. The session's primary goal is to elevate mentoring effectiveness by exploring how understanding diverse thinking styles can transform the mentoring process. Mentors will learn how to tailor their approach, leveraging the strengths of different problem-solving preferences to guide mentees through challenges. Participants will discover practical techniques to support their mentees' unique cognitive styles, driving creativity and achieving impactful breakthroughs in professional development. In alignment with the conference theme of mentoring, this session highlights the vital role mentors play in cultivating problem-solving skills and inspiring innovative thinking. Attendees will gain actionable strategies that position mentorship as a powerful driver of growth and success, equipping them to guide their mentees with confidence, creativity, and purpose.

Here are three key takeaways for the session:  

1. Understand Creative Thinking Preferences: Learn how different thinking styles-clarifying, ideating, developing, and implementing-impact the problem-solving process and how to leverage these styles to enhance creativity in mentoring relationships.  

2. Tailor Mentoring to Cognitive Styles: Discover your own learning preferences and strategies for recognizing your mentees' unique creative preferences, helping them approach challenges more effectively and fostering innovation in their personal and professional growth.  

3. Foster Innovation Through Mentorship: Explore practical tools and techniques for guiding mentees through the stages of creative problem-solving, encouraging breakthrough ideas, and driving successful outcomes.