College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Faculty & Staff

This page outlines opportunities for faculty to connect with peer cohorts across CANR and MSU. Peer support is a valuable complement to formal mentoring and helps build community, share experiences and foster professional growth. Faculty can connect with peer cohorts through informal networks and/or structured programs.

Informal Networks
Structured Programs/Development Opportunities
Community Resources & Networks
How to find your cohort

Informal Networks

CANR maintains a peer program that helps match faculty with colleagues based on shared interests, career stage or mentoring needs. MSU also offers learning communities through the Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Development.

Recommended links:

• CANR peer program
• Learning Communities – Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Development
  
  

Structured Programs/Development Opportunities

CANR and MSU offer several cohort-based programs that support faculty development and informal mentoring.

Recommended programs include:

• AgBioResearch administrative fellows program (for more information, please reach out to info@agbioresearch.msu.edu)
• Leadership Development – MSU Extension
• NCFDD faculty success program
• Leadership Development – Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Development
  • Adams Academy
  • Big Ten Academic Alliance Academic Leadership Program
  • Big Ten Academic Alliance Department Executive Officer (DEO) Program
  • Leadership Fellows
  • Lilly Fellows

These programs are announced through CANR and MSU listservs and are open to faculty across career stages and appointment types.

Community Resources & Networks

Health Promotion and Engagement WorkLife Wellbeing supports faculty in building informal peer connections and accessing resources that promote well-being and community engagement. This includes support for dual-career families, relocation, childcare and eldercare referrals and wellness programming.

These programs are especially helpful for faculty who are new to the university or the Greater Lansing area and may be seeking connections outside their units.

How to find your cohort

Faculty are encouraged to explore these opportunities and reach out to unit leaders or the Faculty Excellence Advocate for guidance on joining or forming a cohort.