Manager-Mentor Program

Mentor FAQ 

Application & Matching Process

When does the program start accepting applications? When is the deadline to apply? 

Applications for the Jan 2024 cohort are now open. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023. Participants will be notified by Friday, December 20, 2023 of their acceptance.

What are the mentor participation requirements? 

All mentors must: 

• Have at least one direct report 
• Be in good standing with the University with a performance rating of achieving or higher 
• EXS 6 level or higher 
• Must be at Northwestern University greater than one year and have two years’ experience in the field 

How are mentors and mentees matched? 

Matches are made by the Mentoring Committee based on mentee preferences, the experience of mentors, and the areas of interest for all applicants. 

Will all mentors be paired with a mentee? 

Depending on the number of mentee applications received and the availability of the mentors there is a possibility that not all mentors will be paired with a mentee in an application cycle. 

Can mentors have more than one mentee? 

No, the program is set up to be a one to one matching process. 

Mentoring Program 

How long is the mentoring program year? 

The 2024 program officially begins in late January 2024, and the length of the program will be for six - months (two cohort cycles per year). However, we hope mentoring relationships carry on past our programming events. 

Do I need to attend all of the programming events with my mentor or mentee? 

No, it is not required that you attend the mentoring events as a pair; however, we do recommend that you attend so that it can build upon your mentoring relationship. 

Do I have to set up goals with my mentee? 

While goal setting is an important part of mentoring, it is not required. Keep in mind that goal setting has many different forms. You can set career goals, professional development goals, or mentoring relationship goals. Make sure you discuss your plans for goal setting early in your mentoring experience. 

How often do I have to meet with my mentee? What is the time commitment for this program? 

As a mentor you can set periodic meetings, phone calls and/or emails with your mentee. It is recommended that you attend the quarterly mentoring events so that you can build upon your mentoring relationship, however it is up to both the availability of the mentor and mentee to decide what works best. 

What happens if my mentoring relationship does not work? Can I get a new mentee? 

At this time, we are only able to provide one mentor per mentee each cycle. However, the Mentoring Committee co-chairs and members are available to assist if you run into any issues. Please reach out to us at any time with questions. If your match does not work out, we recommend reapplying for the next cycle to be paired with a new mentor. 

What if I have a conflict of interest with the mentee? Who do I contact? 

Please feel free to contact feinbergstaffengagement@northwestern.edu. 

Mentee FAQ 

Application & Matching Process 

When does the program start accepting applications? When is the deadline to apply? 

 Applications for the Jan 2024 cohort are now open. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023. Participants will be notified by Friday, December 20, 2023 of their acceptance.

What are the mentee participation requirements? 

All mentees must: 

• Have at least one direct report
• Be in good standing with the University with a performance rating of achieving or higher 
• Have approval of immediate supervisor 

How are mentors and mentees matched? 

Matches are made by the Mentoring Committee based on mentee preferences, the experience of mentors, and the areas of interest for all applicants. 

Will all mentees be paired with a mentor? 

Each cohort will depend on the number of mentee applications received and the availability of the mentors. There is a possibility that not all mentees will be paired with a mentor in any given application cycle. 

Can mentees have more than one mentor? 

No, the program is set up to be a one-to-one matching process. 

Mentoring Program 

How long is the mentoring program year? 

The 2024 program officially begins in late January 2024, and the length of the program will be for six-months (two cohort cycles per year). However, we hope mentoring relationships carry on past our programming events. 

Do I need to attend all of the programming events with my mentor? 

No, it is not required that you attend the mentoring events as a pair; however, we do recommend that you attend so that it can build upon your mentoring relationship. 

Do I have to set up goals with my mentor? 

While goal setting is an important part of mentoring, it is not required. Keep in mind that goal setting has many different forms. You can set career goals, professional development goals, or mentoring relationship goals. Make sure you discuss your plans for goal setting early in your mentoring experience. 

How often do I have to meet with my mentor? What is the time commitment for this program? 

As a mentee you can set periodic meetings, phone calls and/or emails with your mentor. It is encouraged, as a mentee, you initiate the contact and set up the initial meeting. It is recommended that you attend the quarterly mentoring events so that you can build upon your mentoring relationship, however it is up to both the availability of the mentor & mentee to decide what works best. 

What happens if my mentoring relationship does not work? Can I get a new mentee? 

At this time, we are only able to provide one mentor per mentee each cycle. However, the Mentoring Committee co-chairs and members are available to assist if you run into any issues. Please reach out to us at any time with questions. If your match does not work out, we recommend reapplying for the next cycle to be paired with a new mentor. 

What if I have a conflict of interest with the mentor? Who do I contact? 

Please feel free to contact feinbergstaffengagement@northwestern.edu. 

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 | 12:00- 1:30pm

Manager-Mentor Program Kick-Off Networking Event

Location: Simpson-Querrey Potocsnak Family Atrium

Tuesday, February 13, 2024 | 12 - 1:30pm

Insight Assessment Debrief Event With NM Academy

Location: Lurie Hughes Auditorium

March 2024

Mentoring & Networking

• Mentoring Plan 1 Review:
  • Expectations
  • Mentorship Agreement and Basic Information

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 | 1:30 - 3:00pm

The Art of Communication 

Speaker: Beth Bennett, Northwestern Professor and Associate Dean 

Location: SQBRC Trienens Conference Room (1M-209)

May 2024

Mentoring & Networking

Deadline to submit A Featured Collaboration Story and/or Mentoring Journey

• Review SMART Goals
• Mentorship Plan 2:
  • Complete Mentee Self - Assessment 
  • Evaluation of Mentor

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 | 3:00 - 4:00pm

"Goodbye is Just the Beginning" Cohort- End Reception & Networking Event

Register here.

Location: Lurie Ryan Family Atrium

Tuesday, September 18, 2024 | 3:00 - 4:00pm

Special Event for MMP Past and Future interested Managers. 

Register here.

Location: Lurie Ryan Family Atrium

Reasons for joining the FSM manager - Mentor Program?

"Chelsea – Networking within the Feinberg world and the opportunity to learn insights from seasoned FSM employees.

Melanie – Interest in meeting and learning from a Feinberg employee from a different department. Wanting to share knowledge learned to help grow and enhance the FSM community."

Best part about the program

"Chelsea – Interactions with mentor. The timing of our meetings always seemed serendipitous to questions or issues that had recently come up at work. Being able to talk through those with her and for her to share her insights was and is invaluable. I appreciate how intentional the match process was and I appreciate how much of a admass Melanie is. 

Melanie – Interactions with mentee. Chelsea brought a bright and fresh perspective to all different areas of being a FSM and NU employee. I appreciate learning about an area I have no knowledge in and she helped problem solve some changes that I was trying to implement for my department."

Program Takeaways

"Chelsea - my mentor provided a lot of guidance on how to navigate resources within the FSM and greater NU systems. Our discussions were fruitful to both of us – it became more of a collaborative relationship which made me feel good that I could contribute something to this mentorship program.

Melanie – Always keep your mind open to new experiences. I was a little nervous what help I could give my mentee from a different discipline. Though our work is very different, there were similarities that we could connect, learn, and grow from one another. "