In the first installment of this series, I argued that academic leaders should treat faculty development not as scattered programming but as infrastructure. Structured onboarding and mentoring create the first layer of that infrastructure by helping new faculty enter the institution, build confidence, and develop relationships that support retention.
Reciprocity over Hierarchy: Designing and Implementing a Student-Led Reverse Mentoring Program
Many academic leaders, including administrators and faculty members, participate in traditional mentoring programs that prioritize hierarchy. But these programs typically don’t foster engagement and connection between students and faculty or
Marquita Lyons-Smith and Keva Suitte
October 19, 2026
