March 3, 2022 — Development of the Faculty Mentorship Resource Center, a result of the strategic planning process and introduced in December by College of Medicine Dean Colleen Koch, M.D., M.S., M.B.A., is underway with many opportunities for faculty engagement and feedback.

Under the leadership of project champion Jennifer Bizon, Ph.D., professor and chair of the department of neuroscience, the center is designed to form a new, centralized location where faculty can learn about and easily connect with the many existing resources UF has to offer, including mentorship from colleagues further along in their careers. The project falls under the people pillar of the dean’s strategic plan, which aims to cultivate an inclusive workplace that promotes professional development, personal growth and well-being while also fostering a shared sense of community and civic engagement.

Bizon said she hopes to launch the center, which will take the form of an online portal, at the end of the summer and will soon be sending out surveys to faculty of all experience levels to determine what skills and mentorship needs people want and can provide.

“When you think about what is amazing about UF, it’s the people here,” she said. “Making connections within your community is essential for developing most efficiently the skill sets that you really need to not only be successful but also to feel like this is your home and a place that you really want to make your career.”