Manager-Mentor Program
Feinberg's Manager-Mentor Program provides opportunities for managers to develop their skills, and build strong relationships within the Feinberg community.
2025 Application Timeline Applications for the November 2024 - April 2025 cohort is now closed! Participants will be notified by Friday, November 8, 2024 of their acceptance.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | Application Open |
Thursday, October 31, 2024 | Application Close |
Friday, November 8, 2024 | Matches Complete |
Monday, November 11, 2024 | Pairing Communicated |
Mentor FAQ
Application & Matching Process
When does the program start accepting applications? When is the deadline to apply?
Applications for the November 2024 cohort is now open! Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Participants will be notified by Friday, November 8, 2024 of their acceptance.
What are the mentor participation requirements?
All mentors must:
- Have at least one direct report
- Be in good standing with the University with a performance rating of achieving or higher
- EXS 6 level or higher
- Must be at Northwestern University greater than one year and have two years’ experience in the field
How are mentors and mentees matched?
Matches are made by the Mentoring Committee based on mentee preferences, the experience of mentors, and the areas of interest for all applicants.
Will all mentors be paired with a mentee?
Depending on the number of mentee applications received and the availability of the mentors there is a possibility that not all mentors will be paired with a mentee in an application cycle.
Can mentors have more than one mentee?
No, the program is set up to be a one to one matching process.
Mentoring Program
How long is the mentoring program year?
The 2025 program officially begins mid November 2024, and the length of the program will be for six - months (two cohort cycles per year). However, we hope mentoring relationships carry on past our programming events.
Do I need to attend all of the programming events with my mentor or mentee?
No, it is not required that you attend the mentoring events as a pair; however, we do recommend that you attend so that it can build upon your mentoring relationship.
Do I have to set up goals with my mentee?
While goal setting is an important part of mentoring, it is not required. Keep in mind that goal setting has many different forms. You can set career goals, professional development goals, or mentoring relationship goals. Make sure you discuss your plans for goal setting early in your mentoring experience.
How often do I have to meet with my mentee? What is the time commitment for this program?
As a mentor you can set periodic meetings, phone calls and/or emails with your mentee. It is recommended that you attend the quarterly mentoring events so that you can build upon your mentoring relationship, however it is up to both the availability of the mentor and mentee to decide what works best.
What happens if my mentoring relationship does not work? Can I get a new mentee?
At this time, we are only able to provide one mentor per mentee each cycle. However, the Mentoring Committee co-chairs and members are available to assist if you run into any issues. Please reach out to us at any time with questions. If your match does not work out, we recommend reapplying for the next cycle to be paired with a new mentor.
What if I have a conflict of interest with the mentee? Who do I contact?
Please feel free to contact feinbergstaffengagement@northwestern.edu.
Mentee FAQ
Application & Matching Process
When does the program start accepting applications? When is the deadline to apply?
Applications for the November 2024 cohort is now open! Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Participants will be notified by Friday, November 8, 2024 of their acceptance.
What are the mentee participation requirements?
All mentees must:
- Have at least one direct report
- Be in good standing with the University with a performance rating of achieving or higher
- Have approval of immediate supervisor
How are mentors and mentees matched?
Matches are made by the Mentoring Committee based on mentee preferences, the experience of mentors, and the areas of interest for all applicants.
Will all mentees be paired with a mentor?
Each cohort will depend on the number of mentee applications received and the availability of the mentors. There is a possibility that not all mentees will be paired with a mentor in any given application cycle.
Can mentees have more than one mentor?
No, the program is set up to be a one-to-one matching process.
Mentoring Program
How long is the mentoring program year?
The 2025 program officially begins mid November 2024, and the length of the program will be for six - months (two cohort cycles per year). However, we hope mentoring relationships carry on past our programming events.
Do I need to attend all of the programming events with my mentor?
No, it is not required that you attend the mentoring events as a pair; however, we do recommend that you attend so that it can build upon your mentoring relationship.
Do I have to set up goals with my mentor?
While goal setting is an important part of mentoring, it is not required. Keep in mind that goal setting has many different forms. You can set career goals, professional development goals, or mentoring relationship goals. Make sure you discuss your plans for goal setting early in your mentoring experience.
How often do I have to meet with my mentor? What is the time commitment for this program?
As a mentee you can set periodic meetings, phone calls and/or emails with your mentor. It is encouraged, as a mentee, you initiate the contact and set up the initial meeting. It is recommended that you attend the quarterly mentoring events so that you can build upon your mentoring relationship, however it is up to both the availability of the mentor & mentee to decide what works best.
What happens if my mentoring relationship does not work? Can I get a new mentee?
At this time, we are only able to provide one mentor per mentee each cycle. However, the Mentoring Committee co-chairs and members are available to assist if you run into any issues. Please reach out to us at any time with questions. If your match does not work out, we recommend reapplying for the next cycle to be paired with a new mentor.
What if I have a conflict of interest with the mentor? Who do I contact?
Please feel free to contact feinbergstaffengagement@northwestern.edu.
Meet The Committee
Chrissy M. Kelly Toman | Keisha Simpson Goah |
Herra Iqbal | Kena Bilbrew |
Jen Zhou | Kevin J. Connolly |
Jonathan Okstad | Remi Rebecca Love |
Juleen Morford |
Events Schedule More details coming soon.
Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 3-4 p.m.
You're Invited to Feinberg Manager-Mentor Program Networking Event
Location: Treinens Conference Room, SQBRC 1M-209
Journey Narratives Explore the journeys of our participants as they share their unique experiences throughout the program. Each narrative offers a glimpse into the transformative impact of our program initiatives, showcasing the diverse paths that lead to growth, development, and success.
Explore the journeys of our participants as they share their unique experiences throughout the program. Each narrative offers a glimpse into the transformative impact of our program initiatives, showcasing the diverse paths that lead to growth, development, and success.
Suggested Reading and Mentoring Program & Resources
- Feinberg Staff Engagement Committee Mentor Toolkit
- Feinberg Staff Engagement Committee Mentee Toolkit
- 2024 Feinberg Mentee
- First Meeting and Possible Questions
- Mentoring Plan 1 for Mentee;
- Mentoring Plan 2 for Mentee
- Engage a Mentor with Short-Term Projects in Harvard Business Review (2014)
- The best mentors: What do they do differently? in LinkedIn Article (2022)
- Mentoring Someone with Imposter Syndrome in Harvard Business Review (2019)
- What New Leaders Shouldn't Do in Harvard Business Review (2023)
- Helping Gen Z Find Their Place at Work in Harvard Business Review (2023)
- 40 Questions to ask your mentor in Forbes (2019)
- How to Harness the Power of mentorship as a Gen Zer in LinkedIn (2023)
- The Art of Communication, with Medill School of Journalism Professor, Beth Bennett
- Northwestern Staff Affinity Groups
- The Association of Northwestern University Women (ANUW) is dedicated to fostering the professional growth of self-identified women on staff at Northwestern University.
- Manager Foundations is an anchor program for managers new to a management role at Northwestern in the past two years
- You can earn a Course Certificate and access all Northwestern MOOC content on Coursera free of charge!
- myHr Learn offers various courses on professional development.
Contact Us
For more information on this program, please contactfeinbergstaffengagement@northwestern.edu.