Date of Award
2006
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
This study examines the impact that mentoring relationships have on the socialization experience of new and first-time faculty at campuses within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). The study sought to compare and contrast formal and informal mentoring in the assimilation process. Additionally, the project explored the role that mentors play in helping new faculty understand and embrace the campus expectation that they will impact the intellectual and spiritual development of their students. The research structure was qualitative and employed phenomenological analysis methodologies. Eight different faculty were interviewed on eight distinct Midwestern CCCU campuses. Five participants were male with one being black, and three participants were female. The study first saw that these mentoring relationships proved to be a formal/informal hybrid model. Neither fully formal nor informal, mentoring efforts were value added components of systematic institutional orientation programming which was the central vehicle for successful assimilation of new faculty. Second, new faculty needed to understand and implement the implicit expectation to integrate personal Christian faith with student learning. The ability to implement "faith integration" was a critical entry experience. Third, new CCCU faculty believed they were "called" by God to their school and this belief impacted their sense of belonging and was seen as a pre-disposition to assimilation. Finally, proactive engagement by new faculty and successful campus relationships improved their sense of belonging. New faculty played a supporting role in their own assimilation. This study informs CCCU campuses that sustained orientation programming for new faculty is critical. Mentoring is a valuable and needed assistant, but orientation that includes equipping faculty to understand and implement "faith integration" is vital. The intersection of personal spiritual commitment with the role of instructor deserves additional attention. How should CCCU campuses best prepare their new faculty to succeed and realize this campus expectation?
Recommended Citation
Matteson, Stephen J., "The Impact Of Mentoring Relationships On The Socialization Of New And First -Time Faculty At Institutions Within The Council For Christian Colleges And Universities" (2006). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1086.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/1086