A mentor is generally considered to be a trusted counselor or guide. In a university setting, faculty mentors are invaluable to junior colleagues new to university resources and opportunities, as well as departmental norms, and invested in building a circle of contacts within and beyond the university. Departments and Schools bear the responsibility of mentoring faculty in ways that help them reach their full potential as scholars, teachers, and members of the academic community. This may mean helping faculty identify a network of people who might serve as career advisors outside as well as within, the department. While many faculty enjoy informal access to colleagues who provide honest criticism and informal feedback, ensuring that all pre-tenure faculty have access to the advice, encouragement, introductions and referrals, and seasoned knowledge of Departmental, School, and University culture that mentors can provide is critical to building the success of Harvard’s faculty. Links to resources for Mentors are available to the left.  Links to other University faculty mentoring programs are available to the right.