The power of junior faculty mentoring committees

Abstract

Junior faculty mentoring committees have important roles in ensuring that faculty thrive and adjust to their new positions and institutions. Here, we describe the purpose, structure, and benefits of junior faculty mentoring committees, which can be a powerful tool for early‐career academic investigators in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical (STEMM) fields. There is a paucity of information about what mentoring committees are, how to use them effectively, what areas they should evaluate, and how they can most successfully help junior faculty progress in their careers. This work offers guidance for both junior faculty mentees and mentoring committee members on how to best structure and utilize mentoring committees to promote junior faculty success. A better understanding of the intricacies of the mentoring committee will allow junior faculty members to self‐advocate and will equip committee mentors with tools to ensure that junior faculty are successful in thriving in academia.

How to increase diversity in science under troubling times

“…However, once in a junior faculty position, continuous mentorship is critical for sustained success (Campbell et al, 2013;Freel et al, 2017). "The Power of Junior Faculty Mentoring Committees" shows that structured mentoring committees are essential for the professional development of junior faculty (Murray et al, 2024). These committees provide critical guidance, support, and resources, helping junior faculty navigate the challenges of academia and build successful careers.…”