• Who can apply?
• Is this program only for faculty members from certain cultural or ethnic backgrounds?
• Do I need to know what I want my career to look like already?
• Is this a promotion and tenure prep program?
• What is the difference between applying as a mentee and applying as a mentor?
• Do I need formal leadership experience to be a mentor?
• I am non-tenure-track. Can I still participate?
• What is the time commitment?
• Can I participate virtually?
• Is there a cost to participate?
• What happens after I express interest?

Who can apply?

Any University of Pittsburgh faculty member is welcome to apply, tenure-track or non-tenure-track, at any career stage, and from any department or school. There is no seniority requirement and no formal title required to participate as a mentee or a mentor.

Is this program only for faculty members from certain cultural or ethnic backgrounds?

No. Finding the "I" in Influence is open to all Pitt faculty members. The program was created with an awareness that faculty members bring different cultural backgrounds, career paths, and lived experiences to academic life and that these differences can shape how comfortable or prepared someone feels when navigating leadership and career advancement.

The program may resonate strongly with faculty who identify as first-generation academics, immigrants, or individuals from a variety of cultural perspectives, but it is not restricted to any particular identity or background.

Do I need to know what I want my career to look like already?

Not at all. Many participants join Finding the “I” in Influence while they are still figuring out their next step. You do not need a five-year plan or a specific title in mind; you just need to be open to exploring what career advancement or leadership could look like for you.

Is this a promotion and tenure prep program?

No. Finding the "I" in Influence is not affiliated with promotion or tenure processes and does not replace promotion- and tenure-related mentoring. This program is focused on building the confidence, visibility, and professional relationships to support long-term career growth, in whatever form that growth ultimately takes for you.

What is the difference between applying as a mentee and applying as a mentor?

Mentees are faculty members who want to build visibility and confidence, navigate academia’s unwritten expectations, or connect with a community of peers thinking through similar questions. Mentors are faculty members who have already navigated career advancement at Pitt and are ready to share what they have learned. Many participants find that mentoring is its own form of career development, so if you are unsure which role fits, either one is a great place to start.

Do I need formal leadership experience to be a mentor?

No. You do not need a title or formal leadership role to mentor. What matters most is that you have navigated career advancement in an academic setting and are willing to share that experience with a colleague.

I am non-tenure-track. Can I still participate?

Yes. The program is open to both tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty members, and mentoring pairs are drawn from a range of departments, career stages, and appointment types.

What is the time commitment?

The program runs for six months, beginning with an in-person or virtual Kickoff Event in September. After that, mentees and mentors meet monthly (for about an hour per session), typically over a shared group lunch, along with periodic group feedback exchanges. It is designed to fit alongside a full faculty workload.

Can I participate virtually?

Yes. The September Kickoff Event offers both in-person and virtual participation options to make the program accessible.

Is there a cost to participate?

No. The program is made possible through philanthropic support and is offered at no cost to participating faculty.

What happens after I express interest?

Once you complete the brief interest survey, the program team will follow up with you directly to talk through next steps, including matching for mentees and mentors.