Launched in Fall 2025, the nine-month mentorship program paired 11 mentees with a dedicated mentor. Mentors and mentees worked together in monthly one-on-one meetings to set professional goals and identify strategies to achieve them. The focus of the program was on supporting early- and mid-career staff.
Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the program and increased feelings of inclusion and belonging. At the program’s start, a survey was conducted in which mentees were asked to rate their feelings of connection to the broader Columbia community. In an end-of-program survey, 100 percent of mentees said they would recommend the program, and 90 percent said they would participate again. Mentees reported their feelings of connection to Columbia had increased by 85 percent.
Mentors reported similarly positive experiences. The majority reported having developed strong relationships with their mentees – some of which would continue beyond the program’s end – and 100 percent said they would recommend the program to their colleagues.
Given the positive reception among participants, Facilities and Operations will continue the mentorship program during the 2026–2027 academic year. Planned enhancements include a larger class of mentors and mentees, increased opportunities for mentees to connect with one another, and expanded training opportunities. The pilot marks an important step toward building a more connected, collaborative, and engaged staff community at Columbia.
