Mentor Development Opportunities
Mentor Development Opportunities
Announcing Mentoring with INTENT
Secure your spot in this exciting professional development program:
Register NowMentoring with INTENT is a new quarterly professional development program designed to enhance mentorship across our research community.
This series provides a structured yet flexible framework for building strong mentor-mentee relationships. Rooted in Dr. Nathan A. Smith’s Six Pillars of Mentorship, the program focuses on four key areas:
- Effective Communication
- Navigating Conflict
- Setting Expectations
- Sustained Mentoring
These skills are brought to life through the INTENT framework:
- Interactive – Communication
- Navigational – Conflict Resolution
- Transformational – Self-Reflection
- Expectation-Centered – Accountability
- Nurturing – Self-Advocacy
- Tailored – Community & Belonging
Facilitator
We’re pleased to have Dr. Claire Horner-Devine facilitating. Claire is a leadership coach with 20+ years of experience in higher education and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Stanford.
2026 Training Series (12:30pm–2:30pm)
| Date | Format | Topic for Faculty | Topic for Trainees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 2026 | In person | Effective Communication Starts with a Plan | Communication is Bidirectional - You Have a Voice- Use It with Intention and Purpose |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Virtual | Setting Realistic Expectations and Rethinking what Accountability Means | Understanding Expectations as a Mentee and Recognizing One’s Responsibility as a Trainee |
| Sep 16, 2026 | In person | Managing Conflict and How to Have Tough Conversations | Managing Conflict and Exercising Agency |
| Dec 16, 2026 | Virtual | Sustaining Mentorship to Meet Changes in Research | Avoiding Complacency and Adjusting Mentee Status with Career Advancement |
To ensure meaningful discussion, each session is limited to 30–35 participants. Selected participants are expected to attend all four sessions and will receive a certificate of completion.
Contact
Nathan Smith, PhD | Associate Dean for Research Mentorship | Nathan_Smith@urmc.rochester.edu
Elaine Smolock, PhD | Assistant Director of Mentor Development and Facilitation | Elaine_Smolock@urmc.rochester.edu