ENCIRCLE Mentoring Network
What is ENCIRCLE?
ENCIRCLE, derived from mENtoring CIRCLE, is designed to support women and non-binary faculty members. ENCIRCLE develops mentoring networks across a variety of disciplines and appointment types and is open to all faculty of any gender identity.
Mentoring circles are small groups of colleagues who mentor each other on a variety of topics under the direction of a skilled professional facilitator. Members support each other as a nonlinear network, from junior members to senior, from senior to junior, and across disciplines and appointment types.
How to join
ENCIRCLE registration opens at the beginning of each fall and spring semester, and registration information will be posted on this page. ENCIRCLE cohorts meet five to six times in various locations over 12-week periods.
Background on mentoring circles
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.
What can you expect from participation in a mentoring circle?
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Five to six meetings over 12 weeks, 1.5 hours each
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Support for career advancement
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Support for work-life balance
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Discussions of professional development
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Intellectual engagement
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Professional feedback
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Peer-to-peer mentorship in a variety of topics
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An improved sense of support and belonging at CSU
What types of topics will be discussed during mentoring sessions?
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Climate and culture in the workplace
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Balancing life and work
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Helping women and non-binary faculty succeed
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Professional advancement: tenure and/or promotion
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Collaboration between junior and senior faculty members
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Administrative processes
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Working with today’s student population
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Balancing productivity in research with service
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Getting respect in the classroom
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Managing difficult colleagues
ENCIRCLE Leadership Team
Ruth Beauchamp
Facilitator
Sagarika Sarma
Facilitator
Sue James
Jen Dawrs
Meara Faw
Carmen Rivera
Monique Rocca
Ruth Hufbauer
Marsha Benedetti
Emily Fischer