By Malenah Hunter, Associate Director of Membership and Awards, AACRAO, Live from #AACRAO2026
In the session “Mentorship: Is It Worth It?” Dr. Connie Newsome, Director of Registrar Services, Campbell University School of Law, and AACRAO President-Elect, revealed that the short answer is yes. The fun answer is “Heck Yeah!” However, the long reality is that it depends on a few key factors. Mentorship is a partnership in which one person with more experience and knowledge agrees to guide another in professional or personal development. This relationship can be formal or informal, but its purpose is to help, support, or foster growth.
The Good News: They’re Not All the Same
Mentorship can be shaped how you want it. They can form naturally through an existing connection or be set up with specific parameters. The main idea is to state clear expectations for the outcome, even if you’re not sure how to get there (hint: that’s where the mentor comes in). It can be intimidating to approach someone you admire, respect, and who has something you want. But it could be as simple as “I like the way you lead.” Observe them and absorb everything you can. The mentorship may conclude organically, but the relationship could remain. All you need is time, commitment, and a desire to engage and be engaged.
Don’t Get Stood Up for Breakfast
When choosing a mentor, it is important to communicate what you’re looking for and be explicit in your ask. Dr. Connie recalls a time in her “blunder years” when all the details for a breakfast meeting with a potential mentor weren’t hashed out. The result was a missed connection, wasted time, and high emotions. At a time when she felt she couldn’t speak up and didn’t know her worth, the opportunity went cold. Dr. Helen Garrett, one of her past mentors, stresses the importance of honoring yourself and what you bring to the table as your own self-advocate. If it seems like pulling teeth to meet, things get off on the wrong foot, or the “vibes” are off, consider whether that person wants to be a mentor at all; willing people will find a way, after all. It is always okay to start over and get back on track, but it’s also okay to move on. Don’t get left at the table.
Takeaway Tips for Developing a Mentorship Program
Think about whether a mentorship program would be beneficial to your audience. You’ll never know unless you try, but it may need to look different to work.
Use the mentor/mentee application to set how the program will run. Whether one-on-one, group, or another configuration, the application can gauge flexibility and set expectations.
You can match people on more than just personality or availability. Using as many criteria as possible (interests, goals, institution type, area of responsibility, etc.) will ensure people are getting exactly what they want out of the program.
Remember, not everyone believes they can be a mentor or wants to be mentored. Sometimes the best mentorship is leading by example and creating an environment of mutual give and take. Those who gatekeep advantages and guard knowledge will always miss out.
share