What We Learn From Each Other: SAA's Cohort Mentoring Program
Presented During:
08/27/2022: 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Conference:
ARCHIVES*RECORDS 2022
Session Type:
Panel Discussion
Session Chair:
Co-Presenter(s):
Jessica Chapel
Harvard Law School Library - Librarian/Archivist for Digital Projects
Brenda Gunn
University of Virginia - Associate University Librarian for Special Collections and Preservation
Mario Ramirez
California State University - Head of Special Collections and Archives
Moderator:
Proposal Abstract:
This informal panel discussion will provide an overview and lessons from SAA's pilot mentorship cohorts. Organized by the SAA Mentoring Subcommittee in summer 2021, three cohorts of 6 to 8 mentees were led by two mentors each, meeting virtually once a month for six months. The cohorts were pooled from members of three SAA Sections: Students and New Archives Professionals (SNAP), Archivists and Archives of Color, and Accessibility and Disability (ADS).
The mentors and mentees will discuss their experiences in the cohort model, answering the following questions:
What are the benefits of a cohort model? How is it different from the one-on-one mentorship model?
What group facilitation methods worked, and what didn't? Was it better for meetings to be structured or unstructured?
How do you gain people's trust and create community?
Did the program benefit mentees?
What could have been improved?
The panel will foreground what we all-mentors and mentees-learned from one another, resulting in takeaways that attendees can apply to their own mentorship efforts. It will also emphasize the importance of supporting new archivists and those from marginalized communities through personal connection and relationships, not only with mentors but with fellow mentees.
Session Abstract:
This informal panel discussion will provide an overview and learnings from SAA's pilot mentorship cohorts. Organized by the SAA Mentoring Subcommittee in summer 2021, cohorts of 6 to 8 mentees were led by two mentors each, meeting virtually once a month for six months. The pilot cohorts were pooled from SAA Sections: Students and New Archives Professionals, Archivists and Archives of Color Section, and Accessibility and Disability Section. This panel will discuss challenges and takeaways
Educational Objectives:
A cohort mentoring model is new to SAA members. The panel will share experiences and observations of this model and discuss how it was adapted for use by other organizations. Participants will gain insights into the benefits and challenges of different mentoring models, the value of mentoring, and learn more about establishing or sustaining mentoring programs in their organizations and communities.
Target Audience:
All individuals interested in mentoring can benefit from this session, including early career archivists seeking an understanding of the benefits of participating in a mentoring program; mid-career professionals interested in sharing their knowledge and experiences by becoming mentors; and anyone exploring the development or implementation of a mentoring program in their organization or community.
OPTIONAL: Please indicate how your proposed session provides a diverse, equitable, and inclusive roster of presenters
The panel includes presenters representing multiple types of institutions (e.g., academic, corporate, government, religious etc.).
The panel includes presenters representing multiple geographic regions (e.g., Northeast, Midwest, South, etc.)
The panel includes presenters representing multiple career points (e.g., mid-career, student, retired, paraprofessional, temporary, etc.)
The panel includes presenters representing people with disabilities.
The panel includes presenters representing multiple sexual orientations.
The panel includes presenters representing multiple racial/ethnic identities or nationalities.
The panel includes presenters representing multiple religious backgrounds.
Please indicate the intended length of your session. Note that all sessions should plan for 15 minutes of Q&A.
75 minutes
Please select all that apply.
We prefer to present hybrid (Held in person at the conference hotel; simultaneously cast to virtual attendees on platform. Speakers may present in person or online.)
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