About: Faculty Staff Mentor (FSM)

Faculty/Staff Mentor Program
The purpose of the Faculty/Staff Mentor program is to foster the personal growth and development of our students through casual interactions among faculty, and staff. Faculty and staff will serve as mentors, educators, and leaders in the overall residential communities. Their interactions with students will connect conventional academic and social programs outside of the classroom.

Goals of the Program

  • To provide a bridge between the formal academic program and the out-of- classroom learning and developmental activities of residents.
  • To achieve better integration of learning and living in the undergraduate students’ residential environment.
  • To promote the personal growth and development of students through contact with members of the faculty.
  • To provide faculty and staff with an understanding of student life and opportunities to meet with students outside of the classroom.
  • To have faculty and staff share responsibility with students and the Residential Education staff for the development of intellectual, social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of the residence halls.

It is the intent of the program that Faculty/Staff Mentors will focus their efforts on students in their assigned residence hall. In addition, they are encouraged to include students in other residential communities as a part of their Faculty/Staff Mentors activities.

Program Opportunities
Participation in the residence communities will vary with the interests and availability of the Faculty/Staff Mentors. In order to facilitate contact with students, Faculty/Staff Mentors are encouraged to become familiar with residence hall policies and procedures and to work closely with the Residential Education staff.

Faculty/Staff Mentors activities should include:

  • Regular involvement in student life by providing opportunities for social interaction in the residence halls and in the dining units.
  • Initiation of and involvement in activities that foster student-faculty relations (seminars, workshops, dinners, film series, sporting events, study breaks, cultural opportunities, etc.).
  • Facilitation of involvement of faculty colleagues or visitors to University of Southern California in the residence hall community through participation in programs and activities.
  • Collaboration with residence hall staff and the Residential/Faculty Masters to maximize faculty/student interaction.
  • Availability for academic advising and/or referral to appropriate resources.
  • Encouragement of other faculty colleagues to participate in the residence halls.


Recruitment and Appointment

  • Residential Faculty, Residence Coordinators and Resident Advisors are asked to identify faculty and staff for their residential communities during the spring semester.
  • Once the faculty and staff are identified, they receive a link to join to the program.
  • Assistant Director of Student Development and Leadership and the FSM Coordinator review the applications.
  • The list goes through a final review with the Director of Residential Education and once approved, the Faculty/Staff Mentors are on board.
  • The faculty and staff will go through an orientation about the FSM program.
  • The appointment to the role of Faculty/Staff Mentors will be for one academic year, subject to annual renewal.


Program Support

  • Dining: Faculty/Staff Mentors will be provided with a meal card for use when eating with students. These meal opportunities are intended to facilitate greater interaction between/among residents and faculty.
  • Food for Thought funding: Resident Advisors can apply for funding towards a meal program with faculty. A limited amount of programs will be funded per semester, so applications should be turned in as soon as possible to ensure their approval. The FSM Coordinator reads the applications and approves them based on the information.

Faculty/Staff Mentors Expectations
These expectations have been developed by Faculty/Staff Mentors and are intended to provide some structure and guidance. In addition, fulfilling these expectations is essential for continued participation as a Faculty/Staff Mentors.

Faculty/Staff Mentors should:

  • Establish good communication channels with the Assistant Director (AD), Residence Coordinator (RD), and Resident Advisor (RA).
  • Meet with the Assistant Director of Student Development and Leadership and FSM Coordinator at least twice a month to discuss issues or concerns.
  • Initiate a residence hall program at least once per month. A minimum of half of the programs should be held within the building/area to which you are assigned.
  • Participate in and lend support to residence staff programs at least twice per semester.
  • Participate in weekly faculty program at least once a month. This program may be a meal with students or another planned, regular activity.
  • Establish relationships with residents in your residence area.
  • Being available to give counseling, advice, and referrals to residents when asked.
  • Being a resource for students and staff in the building.


Faculty Meals-Masters’ Dinners
The Masters’ Dinners are great opportunities for residents to dine with our distinguished faculty. Each week, our residential faculty host dinners that discuss a myriad of topics from global politics to pop culture.

The residential faculty receives a meal plan that allows residents and other faculty to attend the dinners.

Photo Credit: Engie Salama 

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