Fujian Normal University Mentor Program

In 2005 an agreement was signed by Northern Arizona University and Fujian Normal University (FNU) that allows selected faculty from Fujian Normal University to "study" at Northern Arizaon University (NAU) in their own discipline for a semester. Each FNU faculty member is assigned an NAU faculty mentor in their discipline, and they work together on teaching and research projects during the semester. NAU mentor candiates are nominated by department chairs. Notice for selection of mentors is delivered to departments one semester prior to the arrival of FNU faculty.

Expectations of NAU faculty mentors

Mentors will receive a stipend from the central administration each semester to work closely with an FNU faculty member in their discipline. The stipend in 2006-2007 is $2000 per mentee per semester. This will be paid to the faculty member in one lump sum at the end of the semester, or over several pay periods in the semester, based upon the faculty member’s preference. Sheila Anders in the Center for International Education will contact mentors about these arrangements.

Mentors, in cooperation with their departments, will facilitate the FNU faculty attending undergraduate classes on a regular basis. They will discuss with the FNU faculty such things as course development, syllabi, textbooks and teaching materials, examination structure, assignments, and general pedagogy in such a way for the FNU faculty member to get a good sense of the course. The FNU faculty member should be able to visit a class even if it is not a course the mentor is actually teaching.

Where appropriate and desirable, FNU faculty may be able to actively participate in the course, such as giving a guest lecture or lectures, or handling specific projects with a group of students. FNU faculty may also be invited in a similar manner to a graduate level course, even though their primary focus is the undergraduate curriculum.
Mentors will take the lead in welcoming the FNU visiting faculty to the department, facilitating their involvement in the department, and introducing the guests to other faculty and students. They should be willing to make sure that things are running smoothly for the guest. Mentors must also be willing to help FNU faculty attend other events across campus, such as public lectures.

The mentor must talk regularly with the FNU faculty about his/her specific experiences in the NAU classroom, and gauge that there are positive learning experiences. Meetings will be held monthly between mentors, mentees, and members of the CIE to make sure things are running smoothly.

Mentors must be willing to attend an initial orientation meeting at the time of arrival of the FNU faculty, and be able to complete a brief assessment report of their experience at the end of the semester. Other social activities are left to the discretion of the mentor, are welcomed, but are not obligatory.

Mentors may engage in joint research or other collaborative projects with their FNU counterparts, but this is not required.

Additional questions about this program can be directed to Matthew Geisler at the Center for International Education (Matthew.Geisler@nau.edu)

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