Mentoring Pathways Leadership Program

The Mentoring Pathways Leadership Program (MPLP) is a 10-month, small cohort-based, faculty development program designed to achieve the following aims:  

• Advance the practice of equity-minded mentoring across the Medical School.
• Cultivate meaningful peer connections among faculty with mentorship roles.
• Empower mentors to apply new knowledge and skills in real time with their mentee(s).
• Support faculty who are navigating challenges in their mentoring relationships. 

MPLP participants meet monthly for 2 hours to engage in mentorship skill development and peer networking. Sessions include “micro-didactic” presentations and Q&A with content experts and large group discussion to unpack the topic and create action plans. University of Minnesota Medical School faculty of any rank, track, or gender identity are welcome to apply; non-Medical School faculty will also be considered. Attendance at 80% or more of the sessions and a current active mentoring relationship are requirements. The first and last sessions are in person and mandatory (January and October, 2026). All other sessions are held via Zoom.  

Applications for the 2026 cohort are now being accepted on a rolling basis.  Please apply at this link:  MPLP 2026 Application

Mechanics and logistics of the Mentoring Pathways Leadership Program

Guiding Assumptions
- Mentoring (both being mentored and mentoring others) is a near necessary component in a sustainably successful academic career.

- There is a lack of formal and informal mentor training or networks meant to support equity minded mentors.

- Faculty focused on, and/or enriched by the process of mentoring do not have a direct path to finding a mentor to help them be a better mentor.

- When mentors are equity minded they advance the capacity of our institution to dismantle historical inequities.

- A peer mentoring model is suitable for addressing the aforementioned gaps.
 

Key Aims
- Advance the practice of equity-minded mentorship across the Medical School.

- Cultivate meaningful peer connections and a culture of wellness among faculty with mentorship roles.

- Empower mentors to apply new knowledge and skills in real time with their mentee(s).

- Support faculty who are navigating challenges in their mentoring relationships.

Who is eligible?
- Faculty at the University of Minnesota and its affiliates.

- In a current mentoring role.

- A strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
 

2026 Program Schedule: One Thursday per month from January to October, 10:00am to 12:00pm

1/15/26 - In Person

2/5/26

3/5/26

4/9/26

5/7/26

6/4/26

7/9/26

8/6/26

9/3/26

10/1/26  - In Person

For further information or questions, please contact Dr. An Church at [email protected]