Mentor Magic: Implementing a Successful Mentoring Program for New Chairs and Deans.

The Institute for Academic Leadership Development is a 2-semester practicum experience designed to help community college administrators gain leadership experience through the development and implementation of an Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP). The IPDP is designed to help participants gain a knowledge of self, capacities for judgment and communication, interpersonal skills, an understanding of power and politics in colleges, and the capacity to interpret personal actions. North Lake College, in Texas, implemented a mentoring program to accept a participant from the Institute. The participant maintained constant communication with the mentor and was appointed as Dean-in-Training at the college for the two semesters. The mentor's role was to share information, answer questions, create opportunities, and advise the participant. Their relationship was based on the following strategies for academic leaders: focus on innovation and change, be proactive rather than passive, concentrate on decisions, involve as many members as appropriate in decision-making, and build on strengths and seek assistance in areas of weakness. Key elements of the program included good communication between the mentor and participant, strong feedback, the opportunity to work with a broad variety of specialties, the opportunity to reflect on the experience, and flexibility. (TGI)