Mercy Mentoring Program

Overview

Open to new faculty on a volunteer basis, the Mercy Mentoring Program emphasizes the distinctive vision of Saint Xavier University as a Catholic institution under Mercy sponsorship. The Mercy tradition of hospitality, education, and service especially to economically poor women and children, bequeaths a rich and dynamic legacy. The Mercy Mentoring Program encourages the incorporation of this mission in faculty teaching, scholarship and service so that these traditions can continue to shape the University.

The Mentoring Program is funded in part by a grant from the Lilly Fellows Program.

Mentoring Activities

The Program includes both individual mentoring and group activities and events to foster an understanding and ownership of the University’s mission and heritage.

Individual faculty mentors ease the transition of new faculty into full-time status and ensure they receive the personal attention needed to become productive teachers, committed scholars and active participants in the University community. Participants meet monthly and the Program funds some intellectual and social opportunities.

Six group events focus on the implications of the University’s mission of providing students with tools for lifelong learning and encourage new faculty to think intentionally about how such values might be incorporated into teaching, curriculum design and discourse across SXU. Topics include: Founders, Sponsors & Educators; Theological and Ecclesial Issues in Catholic Higher Education; Catholic & Mercy at SXU; The Call to Teach at SXU; Applying Mission to Scholarship & Service and Assessing the Difference.

Program Goals

The Program will provide ongoing intellectual and social opportunities and incentives for new faculty to critically examine the Catholic and Mercy components of SXU’s mission and explore how to integrate these into teaching, research, service and social interactions.

It explores how the Mercy ethos can be translated into the University’s core curriculum and coursework.

Finally, it promotes discussion about how the University community can contribution to the creation of a “community of character.”

Contact Information

For more information, e-mail the Office of Mission and Heritage at thecenter@sxu.edu or call (773) 298-3981.