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Mustang Mentoring Program

For Leadership Development

Program Overview

The Mustang Mentoring Program (MMP) is adapted from the NCURA Leadership Development Institute and is designed to develop the leadership skills of the MMP participant.  The intention is to create a leadership pipeline of individuals to serve at the regional level while providing educational and professional development for the mentee.  The overall approach to mentoring should result in increased volunteer involvement and participation from NCURA Region V members. 

Program Details

The program pairs mentors and mentees based on areas of common interest and expertise. It involves a commitment of approximately one year, during which the mentor guides the mentee through a course of leadership development skills. The curriculum for the MMP will be based on the book The Leadership Challenge:  How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner, with a focus on the Research Administration profession.

Activities include: 

      • Monthly virtual meetings with the cohort (mentors, mentees, and a member of the Mustang Mentoring Committee) with guest speakers to discuss each leadership challenge. 

      • Bi-monthly check-ins with the Mustang Mentoring Committee

      • Regular communication between mentors and mentees, on a schedule agreed upon by both parties. Use of a shared document storage platform (e.g. Google drive, Dropbox, etc.) is encouraged to upload goals, document progress, and share resources.

      • Leadership project that demonstrates what the mentee has learned through the program incorporation with their mentor. The mentee will present their project at the NCURA Region V Annual Meeting.  Mentees are encouraged to seek financial support from their institution to offset travel and registration costs.

    Eligible Participants

    The Mustang Mentoring Program is open to members of NCURA Region V who would like to enhance their leadership skills as a Research Administrator, as well as those who wish to share their experience and leadership skills with others (mentors). Please note, this program is not designed to enhance transactional skills related to pre-, post-, compliance etc. The goal of the program is to provide mentees with the knowledge and confidence they need to implement change within their own system and to actively contribute to growth across the field of Research Administration. Participants should have a willingness to listen and engage, excellent interpersonal skills, and enthusiasm for new ideas.

    Mentees

    Mentees should be early in their career in RA (1-5 years). The committee may consider applicants with more than five years’ experience, but who have not had opportunities for more formal leadership training, or mentoring. Ideal candidates are those who wish to grow into leadership positions within Region V and acquire the guidance and structure a mentor can provide them. 

    Mentee Expectations include:

        • Active participation in planned activities 

        • Leadership project in consultation with the Mentor

        • Be available, responsive and respectful of time commitments

        • Complete assignments in a timely manner

        • Proactively communicate needs to Mentor

        • Remain open to feedback

        • Seek opportunities to contribute to NCURA Region V and to continually grow professionally

      Mentors

      Mentors are typically those who have five or more years of experience in Research Administration and wish to take an active role in mentoring others to succeed in the field. Mentors understand the importance of sharing their own knowledge and experiences in order to help others advance and become tomorrow’s leaders. 

      Mentor Expectations include:

          • Assist Mentee in setting his/her goals and objectives

          • Help the Mentee devise a viable Leadership Project

          • Be accessible to Mentee 

          • Enthusiastically share information, skills and knowledge

          • Serve as a thoughtful listener and supportive advisor; provide constructive feedback

          • Encourage participation in NCURA both regionally and nationally and assist in identifying opportunities for professional growth within the profession

        Application Process

        Use the application link provided to complete the form. Institutional letter with the signature of your supervisor is required to ensure the institution approves of the goals, time and financial commitment of the program.

        Deadline for submission is November 27, 2024.

        Application Link: Click Here

        If you have any questions regarding the Mustang Mentoring Program, please send them to robyn.remotigue@untshc.edu

        Frequently Asked Questions

        Mustang Mentoring Program Committee

        Robyn Remotigue, Program Committee Chair
        University of North Texas Health Science Center

        Katherine Kissmann, Vice Chair
        Texas A&M University

        Cheryl Anderson
        UT Southwestern Medical Center

        LeAnn Forsberg
        Texas Christian University

        Elizabeth Garcia
        UT Health San Antonio

        Amanda Lindeman
        Texas A&M University

        Courtney Swaney
        Attain Partners

        Cohorts

        Cohort 2024

        MENTEE NAME INSTITUTION MENTOR NAME INSTITUTION
        Amy Jones University of Houston Rebekah Craig UT Southwestern Medical Center
        Roxanna Lopez University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Mickey Stevenson Rice University
        Sanaa Waqif Baylor College of Medicine Scott Davis University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
        Maria Machuca University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Raquel Rust University of Tennessee 
               

        Cohort 2023

        MENTEE NAME INSTITUTION MENTOR NAME INSTITUTION
        Cristy Garza University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Jamie Maiden, MBA, MHSM UT Southwestern Medical Center
        Courtney Hoover Midwestern State University  Amanda Lindeman Texas A&M University
        Denell Orellana Texas A&M University Jennifer Cahn University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
        Haley Perko-Salinas The University of Texas at Austin LeAnn Forsberg Texas Christian University
        Sarah Romak University of North Texas Dawn Underwood Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

        Cohort 2022

        MENTEE NAME INSTITUTION MENTOR NAME INSTITUTION
        Emmanuel Amadi, MPA UT Southwestern Medical Center Jonathan Myers, CRA Oklahoma State University
        Kristin Moras Our Lady of the Lake University Melissa White Oklahoma State University
        Katy Parrott Baylor College of Medicine Katherine Kissmann, CRA Texas A&M University
        Veronica Villela-Perez St. Mary’s University James Montier, MBA, CRA Houston Methodist Research Institute

        Inaugural Class 2021

        MENTEE NAME INSTITUTION MENTOR NAME INSTITUTION
        Trisha Brinton, MA The University of Texas at Tyler Paul Below, MBA, CRA University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
        Marilyn Bobbitt MD Anderson Cancer Center  Lindsey Demeritt, CRA The University of Texas at Austin
        Jennifer Bindel, DMA, CRA The University of Texas at Austin Laura Rosales, Ed.D, MBA, CRA Baylor College of Medicine
        Kathryn King, MPH University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Cheryl Anderson, CRA UT Southwestern Medical Center
        Katie Wood University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Christian Pfeiffer Flores, MPA, CRA The University of Texas at Austin

        Testimonials

        My MMP experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Going into the program, I was unsure of what I was looking to gain, but I knew that I wanted to make connections to help me grow, and MMP gave me that plus so much more. My leadership project pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to grow not only as a research administrator but as an individual as well. Thanks to the phenomenal guidance of my mentor, I overcame my initial concerns about implementing such a large project and created something that was truly transformative to my campus research culture. The MMP was a great stepping stone for me in my research administration journey, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested. – Courtney Hoover, Mentee, Cohort 2024

        The MMP strengthens our profession as research administrators by creating lasting connections that will last throughout our career. The shared experiences and knowledge enrich both the mentors and mentees as they grow together. – Amanda Lindeman, CRA, Mentor, Cohort 2024

        I applied for the MMP with the hope that I would learn more about the field and meet new people and the experience exceeded my expectations. While developing my leadership project, I appreciated one-on-one meetings with my MMP mentor so that I could obtain constructive criticism and discuss my ideas. Monthly meetings with the committee, mentors, and mentees were valuable not only for the chance to hear guest speakers, but also to ask questions. Finally, being able to present my project at the NCURA Region V conference gave me the chance to hone my presentation skills and provided me an engaged audience with whom to discuss how to assess, improve, and expand upon the original idea. I am so thankful to have had the chance to be part of the program and to grow professionally and personally. – Sarah Womack, Mentee, Cohort 2024

        I had the honor of participating in the NCURA Region V MMP as a mentor and found the entire program and experience much more rewarding than I anticipated. I believe I learned and grew from the program, materials and input from others as much, if not more, than the mentees did. – LeAnn Forsberg, CRA, Mentor, Cohort 2024

        MMP was a great experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to grow in their professional RA career. The format of having a 1:1 mentor, along with a group of peers who are also interesting in learning and bettering themselves, provided an environment that was supportive, educational, and fun! MMP was such an impactful experience that even though I have moved to another region, I am now a mentor in the LeadMe Region VI/VII 2023 cohort. Anyone who is considering applying for this program should absolutely do it – you will not be disappointed. – Trish Brinton, Mentee, 2021

         I really enjoyed getting to know all of the mentees in our cohort.  They asked thoughtful questions and earnestly wanted to learn and grow in their research administration careers.  I am so glad that research administration is recognized as a fulfilling career path. – Melissa White, Mentor, Class of 2022

         The Mustang Mentoring Program is a wonderful experience.  The opportunity to work with new research administrators and help them find ways to grow in the field was a great way to help give back to the field. I admit that I also learned a lot from the excellent speakers and mentees. Always room to grow. – Paul Below, Mentor, Class of 2021

         I firmly believe that to be an exceptional leader one must seek guidance and inspiration from people who have already walked the path they wish to take. The Mustang Mentoring Program is the most unique professional development program I’ve experienced in my career. As mentees, we were exposed to some of the most knowledgeable and empathetic national leaders in institutional leadership, research compliance, health policy, and research development. I became a better person and a more effective team member upon graduation. – Emmanuel Amadi, MPA, Class of 2022

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