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Why are early career faculty grouped into cohorts?

MAP relies on research conducted by Columbia University, which claims, “Effective faculty mentoring should involve both formal and informal relationships with a broad array of professional colleagues” that provides “multidimensional perspectives on developing contemporary academic careers” and that “may reduce the power dynamics often present within the junior-senior pairing.” Also, these kinds of networks support faculty with marginalized identities “who are less likely to find spontaneous dyadic mentoring relationships that address the full range of their career concerns.” The focus of the cohorts is mutual support, learning, and community building to help early career faculty flourish as they begin their careers at ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø.

How are early career faculty cohorts determined?

Cohorts are determined by the MAP Faculty Fellow primarily based on departmental and divisional affiliations, with the goal of having the most departmentally and divisionally diverse groups possible. This facilitates interdisciplinary and collective support for early career faculty and provides opportunities to build relationships across departments and divisions.

Is there an orientation for early career faculty?

The MAP Faculty Fellow provides an orientation to the program during New Faculty Orientation in August before the start of Block 1 and an end-of-year celebration and reflection in Block 8.

Are all early career faculty required to participate?

All incoming tenure-track faculty are required to participate in the program until the time of their third-year review. All full-time visiting faculty may participate in the program but are not required to do so. To honor the community built in these three years, after the third-year review, cohorts will be supported in self-organizing occasional gatherings.

How are mentors chosen?

Tenured faculty who are interested in becoming MAP mentors apply for the position in the spring. Mentors are chosen by the MAP Faculty Fellow based on their commitment to supporting new faculty and to facilitating community-building.

When will I know my cohort's mentor?

You will meet your mentor and MAP group members during New Faculty Orientation.

What is the relationship between department chairs or program directors and mentors?

While mentors provide professional development support to early career faculty, MAP is independent from the tenure and promotion process. Hence, chairs and directors are primarily responsible for supporting new faculty through the third-year review and tenure and promotion processes. Early career faculty should go to their chairs or program directors for department-specific expectations for teaching, service, and scholarship.

Can mentors write third-year and/or tenure review letters for early career faculty in their cohorts?

Because this role is designed to be supportive and trusted not evaluative, mentors should not submit letters for early career faculty in their cohort at third-year or tenure review. This also helps create space for greater confidentiality within the group.

Who should I talk to if I’m having problems with my cohort's mentor?

Direct these concerns to the MAP Faculty Fellow, who will help facilitate prudent and meaningful conversations with all relevant and necessary parties.

Can I request individual meetings with my group’s mentor?

The first year, your cohort's mentor may host individual meetings whenever it’s appropriate and to the extent it does not compromise the program’s commitment to collectivity and its mindfulness of mentor labor. Second- and third-year faculty will have individual meetings with their mentor once a semester. Additional meetings may be request as needed and to the extent it does not compromise the program’s commitment to collectivity and its mindfulness of mentor labor.

Can I ask my group’s mentor to observe my courses?

You may arrange classroom observations whenever you and your cohort's mentor determine that’s appropriate and to the extent it does not compromise the program’s commitment to collectivity and its mindfulness of mentor labor.

Can I ask my group’s mentor to review my research and scholarship?

You may arrange a review of research and scholarship whenever you and your cohort's mentor determine that it is appropriate and to the extent it does not compromise the program’s commitment to collectivity and its mindfulness of mentor labor. Often cohorts chose to dedicate a group meeting to peer review each other’s research and scholarship.

Will early career faculty have an opportunity to provide feedback on their experiences in MAP?

Yes. Sometime in the spring semester, early career faculty will be invited to submit survey responses communicating their experiences in the program that will be reviewed by the MAP Faculty Fellow and Director of the Crown Center. That data will be assessed by MAP leadership and the Dean of the Faculty and Vice President in consideration of future program developments. Early career faculty are welcome to send additional feedback to the MAP Faculty Fellow at any time.

Who should I talk to if I’m having problems with MAP?

Direct these concerns to the MAP Faculty Fellow or to the Director of the Crown Center, who will help facilitate prudent and meaningful conversations with all relevant and necessary parties.