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The Stanford IT Mentoring Program is a CIO Council-sponsored talent development program that promotes and supports mutually beneficial learning relationships between Stanford IT Community members.

These opportunities further enhance Stanford's vibrant, collaborative, and inclusive work culture and align with the overarching vision of the CIO Council that emphasizes talent development.

All members of the Stanford IT Community are invited and encouraged to participate as mentors, mentees, or both.

What is a mentor?

A mentor is someone who has experience and expertise they’re ready to share. Being a mentor is a great way to give back and guide rising talent. Teaching others is also a great way to develop your skills.

  • Mentors must be Stanford University employees in good standing.
  • Fixed-term and Bargaining Unit staff may participate, but contractors are not eligible at this time.
Apply to be a mentor »

What is a mentee?

Mentees are ready to learn and open to feedback. Being a mentee is a great way to gain extra advice and guidance to develop your full potential in the workplace.

  • Mentees must be Stanford University employees in good standing, or a current Year Up Intern at Stanford.
  • Fixed-term and Bargaining Unit staff may participate, but contractors are not eligible at this time.
  • Mentees should discuss their eligibility with their manager before applying.
  • Mentees may recruit or request a specific mentor, if they prefer to do so.
Apply to be a mentee »

Program Benefits

Benefits of being a mentor

Contributing as a mentor delivers many personal rewards, including a chance to:

  • Develop your leadership skills. Practice the soft skills of encouragement and motivation to improve your team's engagement.
  • Find new perspectives. Expand your way of thinking through dialogue with your mentee.
  • Give back or pay it forward. Pass on the wisdom and expertise others have shared with you during your career journey.
  • Expand your connections. Share connections to build your network.

Benefits of being a mentee

Being mentored offers valuable opportunities for development, including a chance to:

  • Grow your skill sets. Develop skills beyond the scope of your current role and master the soft skills that can help advance your career.
  • Get new insights. Get advice on problem-solving and navigating interpersonal relationships.
  • Build your confidence. Increase your understanding of our workplace culture, policies, and expectations.
  • Increase your visibility. Network and grow your connections across the university.

Key Dates

Aug. 2025 - Jan. 2026 Cohort (Year Up Interns/Mentors)

  • July 14:  Application period opens
  • August 1: Application deadline
  • August 14:  Mentoring pairs announced
  • August 21:  Program kickoff
  • November 11: Mid-point check-in workshop 
  • January, 2026: Program wrap-up

Feb. 2026 - Aug. 2026 Cohort (regular staff + Year Up)

  • December 1: Application period opens
  • January 9: Application deadline
  • February 5: Mentoring pairs announced
  • February 18: Program kickoff
  • May 14: Mid-point check-in workshop
  • End of July: Program wrap-up for Year Up interns
  • August 18: Program wrap-up for regular staff

FAQs

Do I need to get my manager’s approval before applying?

It is recommended that you talk with your manager about your fit and eligibility for the program and any specific goals or skills you want to focus on in your mentoring relationship. The IT Mentoring Program coordinators will validate the eligibility of all applicants.

Can I request someone in particular to be my mentor or mentee?

Yes. The application form will include a space for you to request a specific mentor or mentee if you have someone in mind. The Mentoring Task team will make every effort to honor these requests but cannot make any guarantees.

How often will I meet with my mentor or mentee?

You should plan to meet at least six times (once per month) throughout the duration of the program. However, if you both want to meet more frequently, you are welcome to do so.

An exception to this is if you are taking advantage of Flash Mentoring, which is designed for very specific topics that can be addressed in a single mentoring session.

Will meetings with my mentor or mentee be in-person or on Zoom?

It is up to each mentoring pair to determine what works best for them, considering hybrid and remote work schedules.

How are mentors and mentees paired?

Mentors and Mentees apply to participate in the mentoring program by filling out an application form. The program coordinators collate and review the pool of potential applicants and validate that everyone who applied is eligible to participate. The validation process may include checking in with CIO Council members, managers, HR, or requested mentors. The Mentoring Task team, which includes representatives from across Stanford IT, convenes to complete the matching of mentees with mentors, seeking to ensure compatibility wherever possible. The goal is to match individuals based on their indicated preferences, according to the following guidelines:

As much as possible:dd

  • Strive for alignment of mentee interests and requests with mentor strengths and offers.
  • Strive for cross-organizational, cross-Stanford IT pairings.
  • Ensure that mentor and mentee pairings are not on the same team.
  • Accommodate specific requests (e.g., for a specific mentor).
  • Strive to pair mentors and mentees to provide fresh perspectives.
  • Limit participants to two formal mentoring relationships.
  • Prioritize new mentee applicants for pairing first.
  • Leave no mentee applicant unpaired, if we can help it.

The Mentoring Task team will share the proposed mentoring pairs with the CIO Council members (who will share with their managers and leads) and obtain final approval, prior to communicating the pairs broadly. 

How will I know with whom I've been matched?

The Mentoring Task team will communicate the final mentoring pairs in early February, 2026.

Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns?

Brittany Cripe, Program Manager for IT Culture and Talent. Email BLCripe@stanford.edu or it-connect-grow@lists.stanford.edu

Additional Mentoring Options

In addition to traditional 1:1 mentoring, the IT Mentoring Program offers other options for mentoring, designed to align with your unique goals, needs, and schedule.

Flash Mentoring

Flash Mentoring is a type of professional development where a mentor and mentee have a brief and focused conversation to address a specific question or goal the mentee may have. It’s usually a one-time session and is aimed at providing the mentee with direct guidance, advice, and resources that are relevant to their query. 

Learn more »

Mentoring for Year Up interns

Mentors can volunteer to mentor a Year Up intern as part of the IT Mentoring Program. 

Mentoring a Year Up intern is a great way to make a positive, lasting impact on an early career IT professional. A mentor's support and guidance can make all the difference between a "good" internship and a "great" one.
 

Program Resources

Explore worksheets and tools, tip sheets, meeting presentation slides, and other documents designed to help support the success of your mentoring relationship.

Meeting Resources

Aug.'25 - Jan.'26 Cohort (Year Up Interns/Mentors only)


 

 

Worksheets

For Mentees

For Mentors

Extra Resources for Year Up Mentors: