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Tag: Linda P. Thurston

Mentoring program celebrates 15 years of success

Linda P. Thurston

A highly successful program committed to faculty development is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

The COE Mentoring Program began in 2000 with Linda P. Thurston, associate dean for research and Lydia E. Skeen professor, serving as director. Jan Wissman, associate dean emeritus, led the task force that piloted the program for more than a year before it was launched.

Since its inception, more than 84 faculty members have been mentored or served as mentors.

Thurston said mentorship is a driving force behind the college’s mission to develop knowledgeable, ethical, caring, decision-makers in a diverse and changing world as well as faculty recruitment and retention.

“This program has improved the culture in our college by building a growth-oriented environment that creates a regenerative cycle because today’s mentees are tomorrow’s mentors,” she said. “It has made a difference in people’s lives.”