Career Optimization and Mentoring Program for Academic Success and Support (COMPASS)

Course Overview

The School of Medicine’s Career Optimization and Mentoring Program for Academic Success and Support (COMPASS) provides our faculty the opportunity to hone their skills through individualized mentoring and collaborative peer support. Faculty selected to participate will take part in both in-person and virtual mentoring over the course of this 12-month program. Our program is designed to address immediate needs of participants, enhance faculty satisfaction, sense of belonging and retention, and foster long-term career growth and vitality of our mid-career faculty.

Program at a Glance

The COMPASS program takes a tripartite approach and includes individualized mentoring, peer mentoring, and skills workshops.

The one-on-one arm of the program aims to provide individualized advice and guidance to each mentee. Mentor-mentee pairs will be matched based on experience, interests, and goals as identified in the application materials.

Through the knowledge networks, we’ll foster a collaborative environment where individuals can learn from each other's experiences, exchange insights, and offer mutual support. Each knowledge network will focus on a topic or series of topics of their choosing to explore over the course of the program. Groups will be formed based on information provided in the application materials and knowledge network mentors will be matched to groups based on their interest in facilitating learning on various topics.

The full cohort will come together to participate in four half-day sessions: a kickoff event (January), two mid-cycle events (April/May and August) and graduation (December). Each of these sessions will provide mentees with valuable professional development, including navigating their personal work styles.

Words from a Mentee

“The knowledge network was fantastic. It was great to work with successful and proactive mid-career faculty who have made names for themselves in their respective fields, and share similar challenges.”

Mentees

Benefits

Meet colleagues across the SOM and broaden your network
Expand knowledge and leadership skills
Identify strategies and tools as you move into the next stage of your career

Eligibility

The inaugural program has been tailored to meet the specific needs of our mid-career faculty, including assistant professors (7+ years in rank) and associate.

Time Commitment

Approximately 1-2 hours per month for the length of the program plus 4 half-days for the program-wide events.

Expectations

Individuals selected for the program are expected to:

Attend four in-person events: kickoff (Jan.), mid-year 1 (Apr./May), mid-year 2 (Aug.), and graduation (Dec.).
Actively participate in 3-4 knowledge network meetings remotely or in-person.
Meet for at least one hour per month, remotely or in-person, with your assigned 1:1 mentor.

Mentees will be challenged to “drive” the relationship with their 1:1 mentor to ensure maximum benefit.

Words from a Mentor

“I appreciate that we were allowed to navigate the relationship (1:1 mentoring) in an unstructured manner. This allowed for flexibility to design pathways for my mentee to lean towards at this stage of their life/career.”

Mentors

This program will be supported by traditional one-on-one mentors, knowledge network mentors, and content experts.

Benefits

Empower positive career changes as you guide your mentee through pivotal career moments.
Develop a rewarding relationship.
Cultivate meaningful connections and broaden your network.
Strengthen and refine your mentoring skills.

Eligibility

One-on-one and knowledge network mentors should be senior level faculty who are dedicated to paying it forward and have navigated the transition from mid-career faculty to the next phase of their career. Evidence of mentoring skills/development of others is preferred.

Content experts should be mid- to senior-level faculty with expertise in areas identified as essential to academic success. Topics include providing feedback, managing a team, grant writing, and creating your personal brand.

Time Commitment

One-on-one mentor: approximately 1 hour per month for the length of the program.

Knowledge network mentor: Approximately 1 hour, 3-4 times over the duration of the program.

Content Expert: 1-hour meeting no more than 3x per academic year.

Responsibilities and Expectations

One-on-One Mentors:

Guide and support an individual mentee.
Attend program kickoff and graduation; participation in mid-year event strongly encouraged.
Meet at least one hour per month (remotely or in-person) with your assigned 1:1 mentee.

Knowledge Network Mentors:

Act as the primary mentor for a small group of 5-6 mentees. Knowledge network mentors will work with their small group to map out discussion topics over the course of the program. As needed, knowledge network mentors will select content expert(s) to lead session(s) and will serve as a facilitator. Knowledge networks should meet 3-4 times during the program.
Attend program kickoff and graduation; participation in mid-year event strongly encouraged.
Work with mentoring coordinator to set schedules for the knowledge network.

Content Expert:

Serve as a content expert during learning community meeting(s).
Present 1-3 virtual or in-person sessions annually.

How to Apply

The application period is now closed. The next cycle will open Summer 2026.

Selection Process

There is no limit to the number of nominations from a department, but final selections will be made to ensure diverse representation across the School of Medicine and will be limited to 20 individuals. Candidates will be notified by mid-October.

Please contact Sarah McClellan with questions.