Join a Women's Mentoring Network mentoring circle!

By Julie Dorsey, October 19, 2021

Join a Women's Mentoring Network mentoring circle!

Would you like to connect with faculty and staff colleagues around shared topics of interest? Have you wondered what a peer mentoring model for faculty and staff is all about?

Consider joining a mentoring circle through the Women’s Mentoring Network!

Mentoring circles are small groups who meet on their own schedule to discuss topics of interest and provide mutual support. The Women’s Mentoring Network has a number of mentoring circles already underway and many under development!

Women’s Mentoring Circles and Primary Contact: If you’re interested in joining a circle, please reach out to the primary contact listed for the group!

  • Queer Women- Jess Shapiro (jshapiro2@ithaca.edu) Join fellow lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning women across campus to discuss shared identity and interests.  This is an informal discussion group where ideas are exchanged on a variety of issues pertinent to LBTQ women and the LGBT community in general.  It’s a space for women to share and discuss personal experiences and make great friendships.
  • Expecting Parents- Sam Elebiary (selebiary@gmail.com) Connecting anyone who is currently expecting or in the process of bringing a new little one into their lives.
  • Women in Interim/Transitional Roles- Karin Wikoff (kwikoff@ithaca.edu) A mentoring circle for mutual support among women who are stepping up to interim leadership positions during this challenging time of pandemic, unprecedented financial reductions, understaffing, and rapid, unpredictable change.  This circle is for women who are juggling the coverage of our former positions and at the same time learning and working in a new position, and so could use the camaraderie of other women who understand this balancing act.  We don’t have the answers, but we sure know the questions; sharing experiences could be very valuable.
  • Faculty Writing Circles- Margaret Shackell (shackell@ithaca.edu) Meet weekly to check in and support each other.  Write "on zoom together" for 2 hours.  Super productive. (2 circles: General IC Faculty,  School of Business Faculty)
  • Solo Parents- Doreen Hettich-Atkins (dhettichatkins@ithaca.edu)
  • Outdoor Activities- Michelle Zarko (mzarko@ithaca.edu)
  • Personal Finance- Bree Peltier-Amborn (bpeltieramborn@ithaca.edu)
  • Being a Working Mom- Courtney Young (cyoung7@ithaca.edu)
  • Balancing Work and Family- Yolanda Clarke (yclarke@ithaca.edu)
  • Addressing Burnout- Justine Vosloo (jvosloo@ithaca.edu

Additional Topics Requested for Mentoring Circles- If you’re interested in joining a circle that does not have a primary contact listed, please email Julie Dorsey jdorsey@ithaca.edu

  • Anti-racism
  • Supporting BIPOC women
  • Fitness (physical/mental/emotional/spiritual)
  • Research and publication processes related to tenure & promotion
  • Career growth and professional leadership
  • New/Young Professionals
  • Mid-Late Career Sharpness
  • College Culture
  • Imposter Syndrome
  • Women in Higher Ed Leadership Positions