Mentor Match Program
The Academic Staff Mentoring Committee (ASMC) coordinates the Mentor Match Program, a nine-month program designed to connect new academic staff members to the wider UW–Madison community.
Participants in the Mentor Match Program are matched with a mentor or mentee(s). The nature of the mentor/mentee relationship is informal and not part of the organizational structure of an employee’s unit. In fact, we often try to match people who are not employed by the same division and sometimes mentors and mentees are in very different fields. The mentoring relationship is designed by the mentor and mentee based on their respective personal and professional goals.
Some benefits of the Mentor Match Program include:
- meeting new people and connecting with colleagues across campus
- learning about academic staff careers, career progression, and campus resources
- setting personal and professional goals
- gaining strategies to manage work-life balance
Participation in the Mentor Match program introduces employees who are new to campus to opportunities and perspectives beyond their own jobs. It also provides the opportunity for more experienced employees to share their professional experience and knowledge in ways that are personal, fulfilling, and meaningful.
All UW–Madison employees are welcome to join the committee’s LinkedIn group to read relevant articles and participate in timely discussions about mentoring.
Sign up has closed for this year’s program, but you can still stay informed!
Join our email list and hear about resources and events by sending an email to: 2026-2027-asmc-mentor-match-program+subscribe@g-groups.wisc.edu. You will receive an email to complete your request – reply to it to confirm your subscription. Do NOT click the “join” button; it doesn’t always work!
Annual Program Timeline
The Mentor Match Program is an annual nine-month program starting in early fall and running until early May:
- August/September: All academic staff receive an email invitation to participate in the program as a mentor or mentee
- Early October: Mentor matches notified
- Late October: Kickoff event
- Winter and Spring: Seminars (optional, open to all Academic Staff)
- April/May: Wrap-up event
- May: Program evaluation
In addition, matches coordinate meetings on their own. The anticipated time commitment is approximately 1-2 hours per month. In some cases, matches can be made throughout the year – email the committee at mentoring@soas.wisc.edu if you are interested.
Become a Mentor
Mentors are always needed! Matches are made based on the mentor’s and mentee’s shared goals, experience, and interests. ASMC provides mentors with resources to support your service.
People who make good mentors typically:
- have experience at UW–Madison and/or with mentoring
- spot the potential in others
- are resourceful guides
- display patience and tolerance
- give encouragement
- see the big picture in situations
Unsure if you are ready to serve as a mentor? Complete the Mentor Readiness Assessment.
“The program was a great encouragement for me to step out of my shell and get to know others on campus and learn more about what they do and their path. It was also great to have a neutral space to discuss sensitive issues. Also, my mentee had a different cultural background, and it was a great opportunity to for me to explore my assumptions and to help reinforce that my perspective on issues and experiences is not universal among my peers. Overall, it was a great opportunity, and very flexible so we could make the relationship something that worked well for both of us.”
Request a Mentor
UW–Madison academic staff members with one year of employment at UW–Madison are eligible to request a mentor.
People who make good mentees typically:
- are goal oriented
- seek challenges
- take initiative
- show eagerness to learn
- take personal responsibility
Mentees drive the relationship with their mentor; therefore, you should have a clear sense of what you hope to accomplish through the Mentor Match Program. Matches are made based on the mentor’s and mentee’s shared goals, experience, and interests.
Unsure if you are ready for a mentor? Complete the Mentee Readiness Assessment.
“As a first-year employee, I found the Mentor Match program to be really helpful. I really valued meeting more people from across campus and forming connections. I feel like I’ve added another person to my campus “support team” and appreciate their insights, experience, and advice — especially valuing their opinions, since we work in different areas. We plan to continue meeting into the future.”
Career and Campus Resources
The following list of campus and career resources has been generated and curated by participants in the Academic Staff Mentor Match program – it is not all-inclusive. Contact us if you have additional suggestions!
While the Mentor Match Program only serves academic staff, several units on campus offer mentoring programs and resources to faculty, staff, and students.
- Madison Academic Staff Network: A group of UW–Madison academic staff interested in sharing ideas, learning about campus, discovering the roles academic staff play on campus, and enjoying social activities that enhance connections and create community.
- UW Communities of Practice
- Women and Leadership
- Event Producer Group (Microsoft Teams group)
- Non-Credit Canvas Courses (under “User Groups and Communities”)
- Career Counseling Appointments for Employees
- Career Development Resources for Employees
- Professional Development Courses, Programs, Conferences, Communities, Funds: Opportunities like the Kaufmann Seminar, Women and Leadership, Manager and Supervisor training, and more
- Continuing Studies Classes
- Virtual Learning
- LinkedIn Learning (free for UW–Madison faculty and staff)
- Creating Meaningful Mentoring Relationships course (UW–Madison course)
- How to Be a Good Mentee and Mentor (LinkedIn course)
- Inclusive Excellence: Includes reports, initiatives, and policies around equity and inclusion on campus.
- UW–Madison 2022 Staff Climate Survey: Summary report and interactive dashboard of results from the 2022 Staff Climate Survey.
“The mentor program is an outstanding way to make connections on a large campus. I learned so much as a mentor, it really felt like a peer-to-peer effort of collaborative support!”