SanFACC Mentor Program

The SanFACC Mentor program seeks to build both individual and regional leadership capacity among full-time/
permanent community college employees. Mentees with a clear interest in entering or advancing in
community college management will be paired with mentors from neighboring colleges already serving in
an administrative role. This experience provides a safe environment to develop a knowledge base that
supports effective leadership and management.

Potential mentors are selected based on their unique talents, abilities, and proven success as a California Community College System leader. 

To assist mentors in their efforts to create a successful mentorship program, we have developed the following guidelines and suggestions: 

Mentor's Time Commitment:

  • All Mentors and Mentees must attend the SanFACC Mentor Program Orientation & Reception. At this event, mentees will present a Learning Contract to the mentor. The mentor and mentee will review and discuss the contract's goals, activities, and timelines. Once completed, the contract must be signed by both parties and emailed to your college's SanFACC Mentor Program Coordinator by required date. 
  • Attendance at the SanFACC Fall Gathering. 
  • Monthly contact as mutually determined by Mentor and Mentee schedules and the Mentee's Learning Contract.  Communication can include face to face meetings, phone calls, and/or emails.
  • Completion of reading materials that will be provided at the Orientation Reception. 
  • Completion of an end of program evaluation and report on your accomplishments.
  • Attendance at SanFACC Mentor Program End of Year Celebration. 

Suggested Activities

  • Discuss your educational and professional journey and have your mentee do the same.
  • Discuss mentees’ career and professional development goals (refer to the Mentee's Learning Contract).

The Learning Contract may include:

    • Reviewing mentee’s resume to identify gaps and strategies to fill these gaps
    • Discussing challenging issues and work situations, special topics, including management styles, budget development and management, enrollment management, program review, board relations, accreditation standards, labor negotiations, how to effectively run meetings, participatory governance, grants, accountability, laws and regulations, career advancement, job search techniques, interviewing, professional development, etc.
    • Job shadowing
    • Participation in meetings
    • Participation in projects
    • Participation in off-campus organizations (e.g. CSSOs, CIOs, CBOs, and community organizations)
    • Attending Board meetings (at their own district and outside their district)
    • Attending professional development opportunities (e.g., ACCCA Admin 101, ACCCA Annual Conference, ACCCA Budget Workshop, CSSO Drive-ins, CSSO/CIO Leadership Institute, CSSO/CIO Conference, CCCAOE Conference etc.)
    • Attending regional meetings (e.g., CSSOs, regional consortium etc.)
    • Arranging for the mentee to meet with other individuals, such as vice presidents outside their area (e.g., if instructional, arrange meetings with the VP of Administrative Services and also with the VP of Student Services for broader experience)
    • Attending Board of Governor, Consultation Council, and Education Commission meeting

Guidelines for Establishing a Positive and Productive Relationship

  • Develop a relationship built on trust. All conversations between Mentors and Mentees are held in strict confidence. 
  • Be open to the mentee's ideas, topics, suggestions, etc. 
  • Respect your mentee’s time and be explicit about your needs and time commitments.
  • Offer advice, suggestions, and guidance. However, tell your mentee you don’t expect him or her to follow all of your suggestions.
  • Keeping confidentiality in mind, encourage two-way dialogue about challenges and issues facing the mentor and the mentee.
  • Learn from your mentee (it’s a two-way dialogue).
  • The mentee is responsible for contacting the mentor and scheduling meetings or phone calls. Suggest meeting in person regularly rather than only by phone or email if possible. 
  • Recognize and work through conflicts in caring ways.  Invite discussion of differences with your mentee.
  • If you disagree with your mentee’s behaviors or values, share your perceptions with them and ask the SanFACC mentor Program Coordinator at your college to assist when necessary.

Should you have any question or concern, please contact your college’s SanFACC Mentor Program Coordinator: Lydia Alvarez.