DoCS Mentoring Program (DMP)

The DoCS mentoring program seeks to support learning partnerships. The goal of the program is to promote a culture of mentorship, professional development, and collaboration among staff members.

In the program, a mentee identifies learning and/or career goals, and the mentor supports the clarification and reaching of these goals through modeling, active listening, encouraging, appreciating, showing humility and compassion, and building trust. Both the mentor and mentee are likely to obtain a better understanding of the workplace and the world through the learning partnership. What mentors and mentees seek and obtain out of the program can vary. Mentees stand to develop distinctive images of practices and approaches to their profession, gaining knowledge and insight in areas of interest. Through providing support and resources, mentors gain the satisfaction of helping others to grow and be successful, and develop improved mentoring and leadership skills. Both partners may expand their professional networks, within and outside of Rutgers DoCS. 

The entire program is free and open to all DoCS staff. You can apply here any time. Program participation includes professional development (PD) centering on being an effective mentor and/or mentee via the Canvas Course Website, as well as monthly events and the offerings of the DoCS DEIA program. Meeting with one’s partner at least once per month is strongly encouraged; however, mentoring pairs negotiate the terms of the mentoring arrangement, culminating in a learning partnership contract. 

After successfully completing the program including at least 15 hours of combined PD, you will earn the DoCS Mentoring Program badge! 

The Program Director administrates the DoCS Mentoring Program in collaboration with a Coordinating Committee to develop professional development and program topics, review program applications, match pairs, monitor the mentoring process, evaluate the program, and provide suggestions for improving the program.

David Shernoff, Ph.D.,  Director, Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education
For questions or queries, please email david.shernoff@rutgers.edu.

  • Thursday, Dec 14th, 10:55 – noon | Program Orientation and Getting to Know the Participants
  • Wednesday, Jan 25, 11:30am-2pm | Meet and Greet and Q&A Session (optional session); noon - 1 pm is face to face at the LLC Pot Luck, with the rest of the time (both before and after) optional Zoom or Dave's LLC office 
  • Wednesday, Feb 28th, 11:30am-1pm | Goal Setting with Kathleen Cashman-Walter
  • Wednesday, March 27th, 11:30am - 1pm | Being an Effective Mentor and Mentee with David Shernoff
  • Wednesday, Apr 24th, noon - 1:30 pm | Networking Luncheon @ Rutgers Club
  • Wednesday, May 22nd, 11:30am-1pm | Difficult Conversations with Dana Bernstein
  • Wednesday, September 1, 4:30 - 6:30 | Networking and Refreshments, Stage House Tavern, Somerset
  • Thursday, October 10, Fall DoCS Day: Functional Fitness for All with Erin Comollo, Department of Family & Community Health Sciences.
  • Nov/Dec TBA, TBA, 11:30am-1pm | UHR Resources at Rutgers University
  • Thursday, December 12, Winter DoCS Day (time TBA): Breakout Session: Year 2 DoCS Mentoring Program Information Session 
  • Thursday, December 12, Winter DoCS Day (time TBA): Wellness Self-Care Planning for Good Mental Health; Margaret (Peggy) Swarbrick; Director of new Scarlet Well Initiative