The ACCCA Mentor Program

The ACCCA (Association of California Community College Administrators) Mentor Program is a statewide activity sponsored by ACCCA. The purpose of the Mentor Program is to provide a personal and professional development experience for selected individuals, who have demonstrated a potential for expanded leadership roles in their current, or future, responsibilities with the California Community College system. Participants develop competencies through participation in ACCCA Mentee leadership events held during the one-year program.

The ACCCA Mentee Retreat and other Mentee program functions are heavily participation-oriented, with an emphasis on skill building and collaborative learning. Each Mentee completes a learning contract, which has a strong leadership component, encouraging participants to immediately apply knowledge, principles, and skills acquired or enhanced through the ACCCA Mentor Program. Mentees are responsible for arranging meetings at least once every other month with their Mentor.

The Mentor role is to serve as a guide, role model, colleague and expert to their Mentee. The Mentor guides the Mentee in the development and completion of their learning contract, exposes their Mentee to new and complex administrative tasks and processes, teaches their Mentee how to learn new administrative skills on their own campus, introduces their Mentee to higher level management systems, and practices the requisite skills needed with their Mentee. Last, but certainly not least, the Mentor frequently gives advice to their Mentee in the preparation of their application materials and interviews for promotional community college administrative positions.

ACCCA Mentees and Mentors develop an excellent, caring network of highly competent professional colleagues throughout the state. Many of these relationships developed when the program began in 1988 still flourish today.

Goals of the ACCCA Mentor Program

1. To identify administrators who have demonstrated a potential for expanded leadership roles in their current or future responsibilities with the California Community College system.
2. To provide learning experiences which will expand and enhance participant's current leadership skills and abilities.
3. To assist and offer training so that participants can become viable role models on campus.
4. To provide participants with an introduction to a visible network for career opportunities.
5. To encourage Mentor Program participants to seek expanded leadership opportunities within their regions and within the statewide system.
6. To assure the availability of a diverse pool of skilled leaders for the future needs of the College.
7. To encourage the networking of participants inter-regionally in support of improved working relationships and communications across the state.

1. Review the application materials and Mentor Handbook located in the sidebar at the top right.
2. Contact one or more of the former Mentors or Mentees on the address list included in the materials, and ask them about their experiences. This will help you determine whether or not you want to commit to this program.
3. Obtain permission from your supervisor and college president before becoming a Mentee.
4. If, after taking the above steps, you have further questions, please contact:
   
   Mentor Program Chair
   Shirley Short
   Dean of the Business Division
   Sacramento City College
   Sacramento, CA 95822
   phone (916) 558-2582
   shorts@scc.losrios.edu
   
   
5. Complete the application (above right) and submit before October 31, 2006.
6. Make sure your supervisor and college president sign the application form.
7. Ask your supervisor, college president, and/or any other appropriate colleagues for their recommendations for a Mentor.
8. Join ACCCA if you are not a member. Please contact Susan Bray, Director of Operations, ACCCA at director@accca.com or (916) 443-3559.
9. If accepted, you will be contacted by ACCCA staff to arrange for your payment of $1000 for the program, payable in installments.

We hope you will be joining us!