A new mentorship guidebook is available to all Brock University employees.

Thanks to the efforts and expertise of partners across the University community, the Brock Mentorship Resource Guide is now available following a two-year initiative to streamline some best practices in support of those who are developing new mentorship programs as well as those who are overseeing established programs on campus.

With mentorship programs allowing students to engage formally and informally for the purpose of professional and personal development, Associate Director of Career Education Stephanie Harper says the initiative aligns closely with Brock’s goal of providing a transformational and accessible university experience.

“The practice of mentorship happens all around us, both organically and in structured formats,” says Harper. “In all of those cases, it influences students’ decision-making, perspective, development, personal growth and career pathways.”

Sections ranging from data collection to recruitment and training allow the new guidebook, and the Sharepoint site it is hosted on, to offer a step-by-step guide for readers. Harper says lessons learned from established mentorship programs, such as those already focusing on science, sport management, careers in medicine and careers in policing, can now be shared more broadly.

“The Mentorship Resource Guide will provide the Brock community with a centralized place to access best practices and guiding principles for launching, delivering and/or enhancing a successful mentorship program,” she says.

As the guide grows and the resources surrounding it continue to evolve, Harper says those involved in its creation remain focused on the University’s core values.

“Each component of the guide was designed with the intent to support students,” she says. “Whoever is using the guide can feel confident the questions that are asked and resources that are shared are rooted in supporting students and making sure they have a positive experience in any mentorship activity they participate in.”

Faculty and staff who are interested in consulting the Mentorship Programming Resource Guide are invited to visit the Mentorship Programming Sharepoint site.

In addition, the University Mentorship Committee meets twice annually and welcomes the attendance of faculty and staff who may wish to engage the group in discussions about enhancing an existing program or launching something new. Details about upcoming meetings can also be found on the Sharepoint site.