Circle Design: When developing peer-to-peering mentoring circles there is no right or wrong way, but rather what best fits the group members' needed. Traditionally LIFT Mentoring Circles consist of up to six members and one facilitator. Members are active participants with a vested interest to develop themselves and their peers professionally and/or personally. The facilitator is not an instructor, but rather a more experienced colleague who can help guide areas of interest, rein in divergent conversations, or offer advice based upon their experiences.
Circle Structure: Mentoring Circles can be designed formally or informally. A formal plan would include pre-planned topics that will be discussed throughout the year based upon the collective shared interests. Another approach is to informally design topics of interest that will be decided fluidly and may change based upon group discussions.
Circle Format: Meetings can occur virtually, in-person or hybrid. We will account for individual preferences when assigning members to their circle.
The important thing to understand is that there is no correct way, the group needs to decide for themselves the best structure to their collective needs. If your group is not fitting your needs please do not hesitate to reach out to the .
Additional features:
- Circle members determine the meeting location, group norms, and style of facilitation.
- Circles are expected to meet at least five times over the course of the academic year but may choose to meet more often.
- Circle members determine the length of meetings. On average these range from 1.5 to 2 hours per month.
- Circle members will have the opportunity to attend global LIFT-sponsored gatherings, including professional development workshops and networking events that align with their priorities. The Office of Academic Affairs and its partners will collect self-assessment data provided at the beginning of the year to guide the development of additional programming opportunities specific to the needs of MCs.
- Circle members will complete an end-of-year reflection to document their learning and participate in a focus group to share reflections on their experience and suggestions for future mentoring and support opportunities.