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UofM Mentorship Network (UM²N)

SPRING 2026 EVENTS

We offer a variety of programming to allow faculty, staff, postdocs, and students across campus to network and support each other. 

**Please RSVP for each event so that we plan accordingly and send you an Outlook calendar invite.**

 

Promotion/Tenure Narrative Writing and Feedback Sessions (Ongoing in Spring 2026)

  • These events are focused on faculty at the assistant and associate level who will be going up for promotion and/or tenure or third-year review during the 2026-2027 academic year.
  • Open to tenure-track/tenured, teaching, clinical, professors of practice, and research faculty.
  • Two-session events will be held for each type of narrative. The first session for each narrative will include a presentation about what to include in your statement. Participants who don’t have a statement draft already will work on an outline or bullet point list. Those who do have a statement draft already will work with peer feedback partners. During the second session, everyone will work with a peer feedback partner.
  • Research Statement: Thursday December 4 (study day) & Friday January 23 10-11:30am  (UC Senate Chamber)
  • Service/Outreach/Advising/Mentoring/Administration Statement: Friday February 27 & Friday March 27 10-11:30am  (UC Senate Chamber)

 

Spring Podcast Discussion Event - Tuesday February 10, 11:30 - 1pm, Teams

  • Belonging in Academic Life: Identity, Doubt, and Resilience

    Across roles and career stages, many of us quietly wrestle with questions of belonging in academic spaces—whether through imposter feelings, rejection, or uncertainty about where we fit. This set of podcast episodes explores belonging from multiple perspectives: how environments shape inclusion, how self-doubt emerges, why imposter syndrome often accompanies growth, and how rejection can be reframed without internalizing failure. Together, these conversations invite reflection on how we understand our place in academia and how we can cultivate resilience, connection, and purpose along the way.

  • Optional podcasts 
  • Open to all faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students.
  • Please RSVP by February 6.

 

Spring Social - Friday March 20, 2026 12:15-1:30 UC Bluff Room

 

Discussing Academic Career "Chutes and Ladders": A Conversation with Dr. Kerry Crawford and Dr. Leah Windsor, Monday April 20, 2026m 12-1:30C, Teams

Have you ever wondered why some scholars seem to take a direct path to the top of the academic hierarchy, while other scholars navigate professional twists and turns along the way, and many exit academia altogether? Are you considering a career in academia and hoping to prepare for your next steps? Do you want to learn more about the book publishing process?
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Kerry F. Crawford (James Madison University) and Dr. Leah Windsor (University of Memphis), editors of Academic Chutes & Ladders: The Hidden Curriculum that Makes or Breaks Academic Careers (forthcoming spring 2026, Bloomsbury). The discussion will highlight the too-often unwritten rules that create opportunities for or obstacles to success in higher education. In Academic Chutes & Ladders, Crawford, Windsor, and their 75+ contributing authors examine how campus policies and practices help some scholars get ahead and hold others back. True to the book’s call for clear communication, transparency, equitably applied policies, and mentorship on campus, the editors will offer suggestions and best practices for supporting students, faculty, and staff. Crawford and Windsor will also discuss the ins and outs of collaborative writing and academic publishing. 
All are welcome! Bring your questions and ideas to this interactive discussion.
Please RSVP by April 15, 2026. 

Fall 2025 Events

  • Fall Social - Wednesday September 10, 2025 1-2:30 Ball Hall 124
  • Intentional Careers workshop - Wednesday October 29, 2025 - 1-2pm - UC Fountain View Room
    • Led by Stacy Vanderpool (Student Academic Services).
    • Based on work by Madelyn Mackie on career mapping.
    • Open to all faculty, staff, postdocs, and students.
  • Promotion/Tenure Narrative Writing and Feedback Sessions
    • These events are focused on faculty at the assistant and associate level who will be going up for promotion and/or tenure or third-year review during the 2026-2027 academic year.
    • Open to tenure-track/tenured, teaching, clinical, professors of practice, and research faculty.
    • Two-session events will be held for each type of narrative. The first session for each narrative will include a presentation about what to include in your statement. Participants who don’t have a statement draft already will work on an outline or bullet point list. Those who do have a statement draft already will work with peer feedback partners. During the second session, everyone will work with a peer feedback partner.
    • Volunteers are needed to assist with online feedback sessions for those faculty not located on the main campus or who can't attend in person on the scheduled dates.
    • Teaching Statement: Friday October 17 & Friday November 21 10-11:30am  (UC Senate Chamber)
    • Research Statement: Thursday December 4 (study day) & Friday January 23 10-11:30am  (UC Senate Chamber)
    • Service/Outreach/Advising/Mentoring/Administration Statement: Friday February 27 & Friday March 27 10-11:30am  (UC Senate Chamber)
  • Podcast/Article Discussion Events: Fall Event: Wednesday 11/12 1 - 2 pm UC Senate Room  We will discuss two podcast episodes from "The Professor is In": Episode 3.12 "Your Breaking Point" and Episode 3.29 "How to Keep Going When You Don't Feel Like It" * Two more Podcast/Article Discussion events will happen in Spring 2026 - stay tuned!  
  • Weekly Virtual Writing Accountability Groups (on Teams) - No RSVP Necessary - Join Us When You Can!
    • All faculty, staff, and students who are looking for writing (or task) accountability are invited to join us in our weekly virtual writing accountability group.
    • You can be working on ANY PROJECT during this time. We aren't exclusive to writing academic papers. We want to support you reaching your goals this semester, whatever those might be.
    • Please note that this group is not intended for students looking for feedback on their writing for a class assignment or research project. 

Applications Required (now closed):​

    • Fall 2025 Faculty Learning Community for Advancement for Full Professor (led by Dr. Gretchen Peterson, Sociology)
    • 2025-2026 Faculty Learning Community for Promotion to Associate (led by Dr. Leigh Harrell-Williams, CEPR)
      • You are welcome to participate in the narrative writing and feedback sessions (see below). 
      • Notification of selection will be sent by September 12th.  
    • 2025-2026 Mentoring Circles 
      • We will be looking for 5 mentors to lead a monthly mentoring meeting with approximately 4-5 mentees. This opportunity will provide for both a formal mentor and peer mentors.
      • We will suggest that the hourlong monthly meeting start with 30-minutes of mentee goal setting and progress reporting, followed by 30 minutes for questions and/or discussion of a specific topic requested by mentees.
      • Open to all faculty, staff, and postdocs. 

Spring 2025 Events

  • Weekly Virtual Writing Accountability Groups (on Teams)
    • We have two sessions this semester
      • Tuesdays from 9-11am (CST) starting Tuesday 1/28 led by Dr. Crystal White (clyates1@memphis.edu)
      • Fridays from 10-12 (CSF) starting Friday 1/31 led by Dr. Davia Downey (dcdowney@memphis.edu)
    • All faculty, staff, and students who are looking for writing (or task) accountability are invited to join us in our weekly virtual writing accountability group.
    • You can be working on ANY PROJECT during this time. We aren't exclusive to writing academic papers. We want to support you reaching your goals this semester, whatever those might be.
    • Please note that this group is not intended for students looking for feedback on their writing for a class assignment or research project. 
  •   Publishing your OER at the UofM and Beyond! - February 25, 12-1 (virtual - register here by 2/24)
    • This is a follow-up to our book publishing event last fall 
    • Hear from UM3D and Library faculty and staff about open educational resources. Current presenters include Trish Lange (Instructional Designer/University Library), Carl Hess (OER librarian), Kenny Haggarty (Associate Dean for Innovation and Scholarly Engagement) 
    • Interact with panelists who have published open access books and syllabi, including Dr. Diana Ruggiero (World Languages) and Kelly Maust (Lambuth Library)
  •   In-person book club - March 4, 12-1 pm (ERIC 306 - new bldg. at Central and Zach Curlin)
    • This is a second chance to read James Clear's Atomic Habits and discuss with other faculty, staff, students if you couldn't participate last fall. 
    • We will cap the book club at 15 participants. Please RSVP by February 28. [If you previously RSVPd, you are already on our list.]
    • The book is available for free as an e-book from the UofM library or paperback from various local libraries (Bartlett, Memphis, Collierville). We cannot purchase additional hard copies. 
  • Dances and Attires of India - March 18, 11:20 - 12:15 (location: McWherter library 2nd floor commons)
    • Co-sponsored event with International Faculty and Staff Association (IFSA) 
    • This interactive workshop will include an exhibit of Indian attires (and allow trying on attire) as well as Indian dance performance.
  • Spring social - April 1, 11:30 - 1pm, UC Fountain Room
    • Participate in lively conversation at themed discussion tables and assist in planning initiatives and events for next year for the UofM Mentorship Network.
    • Light hors d'oeuvres will be available.
    • Faculty, staff, post-docs and graduate students are welcome.

 

Fall 2024 Events

  • Weekly Virtual Writing Accountability Groups
    • All faculty, staff, and students who are looking for writing accountability are invited to join us in our weekly virtual writing accountability group. Please note that this group is not intended for students looking for feedback on their writing for a class assignment or research project. 
    • Starting the week of 9/1, there will be two sessions: Tuesday 9-11am (CST) and Thursday 1-3pm (CST). Attendees are free to join either of the Teams session as their schedule allows
  • Fall 2024 Faculty, Staff & Graduate Student Social 
    • Friday September 27, 12-1, UC Bluff Room (304)
    • We will have themed tables to encourage discussion around specific topics. Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP here by Tuesday September 24th.

 2024-2025 Learning Community for Faculty Promotion to Full Professor

    • Dr. Gretchen Peterson (Sociology) will be leading a learning community for associate professors who want to work towards their faculty promotion to full professor. There are 10 slots available. The soon-to-be available application is due by noon on September 13. Sessions will be held once monthly on a Friday from 10-12 (dates TBA).
  • Book Club
    • We will be leading a book club reading Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear. This semester, we will have a virtual session on November 14 from 12-1. We will plan an in-person session for next spring (date TBA). The UofM library has the e-book available. At this time, we have funds for a small number of physical books for those who demonstrate a need for it. Please RSVP by October 9. 
  • Faculty Panel on Book Publishing
    • Friday October 4, 11:30 - 12:30 CST, UC Bluff Room (304)
    • Join four UofM faculty members (Ms. Karen Brunsting, Dr. William Hunter, Dr. Roger Kreuz, Dr. Diana Ruggiero) with recent book publishing experiences to learn about the process and ask their advice. Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP here by September 27th. 
  • December "End of Semester" event: African Dance Class on Study Day