Overview Mentors will serve the unique needs of programs as faculty members integrate writing.  During Fall 2008 and Spring 2009, mentors will collaborate with faculty to identify the courses that will include writing and the frequency of activities and assessments within each course. Mentors and faculty will work together to establish a strong foundation that includes an understanding of student learning, writing, and assessment.  Additional topics for discussion include best practices for skill integration and barriers to skills development.   Some questions that faculty and mentors will discuss include: Which courses in the program, if any, include writing? What level of writing (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation) is required in the program?   Do writing activities become more challenging as the student progresses through the program? Do students write sufficiently and at an adequate level throughout the program to achieve the four project outcomes?  Are additional writing activities needed in order to adequately prepare students? Which courses should include (more) writing activities? How is writing being assessed? Are outcomes in place that specify writing requirements for the program? The QEP Coordinator will conduct a structured training series during Summer 2008 to ensure that mentors fully understand the project.  Mentor training will also include one or more writing in the discipline workshops facilitated by in-house and external presenters.  As an additional part of their training, mentors may participate in seminars and workshops related to learning and mentoring.  Mentors will enter into a contractual agreement for a salary supplement or release time with the approval of their supervisors. Mentors will be rewarded additional compensation for excellence, such as commitment to the project, submission of outstanding resources for the online repository, innovative problem-solving, and selfless leadership.  Duties and Characteristics Mentors work collaboratively with program faculty to successfully integrate written communication skills into their programs.  Mentors receive a salary supplement or release time for fulfilling these duties.  The mentor’s responsibilities include: 1. Regularly working with program faculty one-on-one or in     groups throughout the semester in order to achieve     successful skill implementation and assessment. 2. Providing resources and other materials to assist in the     implementation and assessment processes. 3. Providing guidance throughout the planning and     integration process to determine: a.    how integration can best be achieved for the         particular program,  b.    the courses that currently include writing activities c.    the writing skill level reached in each course, and d.    the specific activities and assessments that are most appropriate to achieve skill development. 4. Collecting and submitting resources for the QEP online     repository The characteristics of an effective mentor include: 1.    Effectively communicates the importance of student learning. 2.    Clearly communicates and demonstrates successful         approaches to integrate writing into courses. 3.    Clearly communicates written communication skill levels and         approaches to increasingly challenge learners. 4.    Clearly communicates effective instructional strategies and         approaches to assessment. 5.    Is readily available to program faculty for discussion,         questions, and other assistance as needed. 6.    Provides excellent resources for integrating writing into         courses and programs. 7.    Demonstrates excellence in: a.    Innovative solutions b.    Selfless leadership c.    Commitment to the project d.    Outstanding resources for online repository Mentor Agreement Central Carolina Community College provides a one-time salary supplement or release time for work as a mentor. The following guidelines apply: 1.    An employee must have advance approval of his/her supervisor and         dean to become a mentor. 2.    An employee must have a clear understanding of the duties and         responsibilities of mentorship (see Mentor Job Description). 3.    Mentors must participate in the five- to six-hour mentor training series. 4.    A mentor must devote a minimum of 64 hours per semester to programs. 5.    Mentors should begin work with the program(s) no later than the second         week of the Fall 2008 semester. 6.    Best practices, lessons learned, materials generated, and any other         useful resources must be shared with the QEP Coordinator for input into the         online repository.  Information should be submitted no later than the final         week of the semester of the mentorship. 7.    Mentors will be regularly evaluated throughout the program by faculty,         supervisors, and the QEP Coordinator. 8.    Release time is equal to one three-hour course plus one office hour         (64 hours).   If the mentoring load is particularly heavy, additional release         time may be arranged with the supervisor. 9.    A mentor will receive payment based on the chart below.  All payments         will be made during the final month of the Spring 2009 term.  Payment         must have the approval of the QEP Coordinator (signature required at the         completion of the term). 10.   Those not completing the full mentorship (Fall 2008 and Spring 2009)         will receive reduced or no payment depending on the work performed. 11.  The salary supplement is incorporated into the mentor's regular monthly         check.  The supplement is subject to taxes and retirement. Payment Chart  Base pay  $2400  Additional performance pay*  $1200  Possible total payment  $3600 * Additional performance pay will be partially based on evaluations by implementing program faculty, the QEP Coordinator, and the mentor’s supervisor.  Evidence of innovative, solution-oriented approaches to development and implementation will be rewarded.    To be completed by the mentor, supervisor, and dean: Program(s) to be mentored:__________________________________ Mentoring will occur during the _____________________ semester                                                                                                                                   Term/Year Release time from the following course(s):_______________________ OR Salary supplement: _______ I have read this document and I agree to fulfill all the mentor duties and responsibilities. ____________________________________________________________ Mentor’s Signature                        Date                                Social Security Number Approval required ____________________________________________________________ Supervisor’s Signature                                                        Date            ____________________________________________________________  Dean’s Signature                              Date                       Budget Code (completed by Dean) At the conclusion of the mentorship: The Fall 2008/Spring 2009 mentorship has successfully been completed.  Resources have been submitted for inclusion in the online repository. ____________________________________________________________ QEP Coordinator                                                                  Date