Women and non-binary people at all stages of their academic careers face challenges related to their gender identity. A key part of the solution is to build a culture of support through formal mentoring structures. Mentoring circles in institutions of higher education are known to create job satisfaction, provide support and a sense of belonging, support tenure and promotion, and help members feel comfortable in the higher education profession (Thomas, M., Bystydzienski, J., and Desai, A. 2014. “Changing Institutional Culture through Peer Mentoring of Women STEM Faculty,” Innovative Higher Education 40: 143-157).

Mentoring circles are composed of small groups of faculty members representing different departments, career stages, and experiences who meet on a regular basis to discuss shared topics of interest under the guidance of a trained facilitator. Topics of interest are varied and might include administrative processes, culture and equity, research collaborations, work-life balance, and professional support with feedback, among others (“Best Practices for Mentoring Early-Career Faculty,” the University of Wisconsin-Madison).

ENCIRCLE is intended to increase job satisfaction, motivation, and productivity and stimulate creativity and collaboration. The program supplements the more grassroots and specialized mentoring programs that have emerged within disciplines (e.g., Women in Science groups). Mentoring circles that integrate faculty from across the university are likely to spur relationships and collaborations, which in turn can facilitate interdisciplinary scholarship and nurture best practices for supporting women and non-binary faculty. Mentoring circle practices are crucial in supporting careers at all stages, are especially beneficial to women and non-binary faculty, and can transform our institutions to achieve better professional outcomes for all.

ENCIRCLE is a program originally developed by the Council for Gender Equity on the Faculty and is now run through Faculty Success by a small team of CSU faculty with generous support from the CSU Office of the President.