Program Overview

Introduction to UL Advance Mentoring

The University of Limerick offers a mentoring program called UL Advance, which is designed to provide a supportive and collaborative environment for staff development. This program aims to embed a mentoring culture and climate within the university, promoting a culture of support and inclusivity.

Who is UL Advance Mentoring for?

The UL Advance Mentoring program is available to all Associate Professors B, Assistant Professors, Postdoctoral Researchers, Senior Administrators, and Administrators across the University. The goal is to eventually embed mentoring in every faculty, department, and division, but this will be implemented over time.

How does UL Advance Mentoring work?

The program is administered by each department, with support from HR Talent Development. Mentor-mentee pairings are made during Semester 1 by the Head of Department, and mentors and mentees commit to meeting for three one-hour meetings during Semester 2. New mentoring pairs will be established each academic year, allowing for a varied experience for both mentors and mentees.

Getting Started

Whether you are a mentor or a mentee, the HR Talent Development team offers several supports, including training, guidance, and supporting documents.

Getting Started - Mentees

To begin, mentees should:

1. Make time for self-reflection to consider what they want to achieve from the mentoring relationship.
2. Attend the pairing process, where they will be matched with a suitable mentor.
3. Attend mentee training provided by HR Talent Development.
4. Draft a mentoring agreement with their mentor during the first meeting.
5. Take the lead in ensuring the mentoring meetings happen.

Getting Started - Mentors

To begin, mentors should:

1. Reflect on their motivations for being a mentor and their strengths and weaknesses.
2. Attend the pairing process, where they will be matched with a suitable mentee.
3. Attend mentor training provided by HR Talent Development.
4. Participate in drafting a mentoring agreement with their mentee during the first meeting.
5. Support their mentee in taking the lead in the mentoring relationship.

Training and Support

HR Talent Development provides both mentor and mentee training to help participants understand what to expect from the mentoring program and to offer practical guidance on making the mentoring relationship successful. Additional supporting documents and resources are available to support the mentoring process.

Supporting Documents

Several documents have been created to support the mentoring relationship, including:

• Mentee Questions
• Mentor Questions
• UL Advance Mentoring Agreement Document
• Mentoring Development Plan
• Mentoring Meeting Agendas
• Mentoring Topics
• The GROW coaching model
• UL Advance Brochure
• Reflective practice guides for both mentees and mentors

University Mentoring

The University of Limerick is committed to creating a culture where colleagues are supported to enable them to be their best. Mentoring is seen as a key component of this culture, providing a framework for staff development and support.