College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Faculty & Staff

Mentoring in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) is a formal and substantive process that supports faculty development across research, teaching, extension and leadership. It is implemented at the unit level and guided by college-wide expectations. The mentoring process is designed to be flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of faculty members and it is recognized as a key component of professional advancement.

Mentoring is expected to be individualized, with attention to the career stage and specific needs of each faculty member. Units are responsible for establishing mentoring programs that reflect their disciplinary context and internal dynamics. These programs should be documented in unit bylaws and actively implemented.

MSU Guidelines
Faculty Excellence Advocate

MSU Guidelines

Michigan State University requires each college to implement a formal mentoring program. These programs must include mentoring for pre-tenure, tenure-system faculty and expand as capacity allows to include associate professors, fixed-term faculty and academic specialists. Colleges may also require departments or schools to develop their own unit-level mentoring programs.

Mentoring plans must be coordinated for faculty with joint appointments and mentoring policies should be clearly communicated. Colleges must assess the effectiveness of their mentoring programs at least every five years. Mentoring excellence is considered in annual faculty reviews and formative evaluation is expected to be part of program design.

MSU Faculty Mentoring Policy

Faculty Excellence Advocate

The Faculty Excellence Advocate (FEA) plays a key role in mentoring implementation. The FEA conducts interviews with newly hired faculty to guide the formation of mentoring committees and ensure alignment with unit expectations. These interviews serve as a platform to share best practices, provide checklists and address any concerns related to mentoring.

The FEA also facilitates follow-up meetings during the spring semester to check in on committee formation and mentoring progress. These touchpoints help ensure that faculty are receiving the support they need and that mentoring practices are being implemented effectively. The FEA contributes to sustainability by promoting transparency, accountability and continuous improvement.

MSU Faculty Mentoring Toolkit