College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Faculty & Staff

This page outlines opportunities for faculty to expand their mentoring networks through informal connections, structured programs, and community resources.

No single mentor can meet every professional need. Faculty benefit from building a diverse mentoring network that includes peers, senior colleagues, collaborators, sponsors, and professional communities.

The NCFDD Mentoring Map promotes this holistic approach by helping faculty assess their mentoring network and identify opportunities to strengthen it over time.

The resources below provide opportunities to build and expand that network throughout your career.

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

Informal Networks

Informal connections with peers, collaborators, and colleagues across disciplines provide valuable support, new perspectives, and opportunities for collaboration throughout a faculty career.

Several resources can help faculty build and strengthen these relationships:

• Learning Communities: Connect with faculty across disciplines through communities of practice facilitated by the Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Development.
• MSU Scholars: Identify potential collaborators, mentors, and colleagues with shared research interests across the university.
• Mapping a Mentoring Roadmap and Developing a Supportive Network for Strategic Career Advancement: Develop an intentional mentoring strategy by identifying mentoring needs, setting career goals, and building a personalized network of support.
• NCFDD Mentoring Map: Assess the breadth and balance of your mentoring network and identify opportunities to strengthen it over time.

Structured Programs/Development Opportunities

CANR and MSU offer several cohort-based programs that support faculty development while fostering mentoring relationships and expanding professional networks.

Recommended programs include:

• AgBioResearch administrative fellows program (for more information, please reach out to info@agbioresearch.msu.edu)
• Leadership Development – MSU Extension (For more information, please reach out to Learning and Talent Development Specialist Anne Baker).
• 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.

Building Your Mentoring Network

Building a strong mentoring network is an ongoing process that evolves throughout your career. 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.