Overview
The DASSH mentoring program is open to mentees who are incoming or hold leadership positions such as program directors, heads of schools and disciplines, associate, deputy and assistant dean and pro-vice chancellor roles from member institutions in Australia and Aotearoa.
Our mentors are experienced leaders in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities across both countries. They hold senior leadership positions including Pro Vice-Chancellor, Executive Dean and Dean. We maintain an active mentor database outlining their disciplinary backgrounds and leadership portfolio.
DASSH facilitates the administration of the mentoring program including connecting mentors and mentees together.
Mentors and mentees manage the relationship themselves. DASSH is available to provide support throughout the program to both parties.
Duration
In 2025, the pilot Mentorship Program will run over a six-month period from June to November. DASSH encourages mentors and mentees to meet four times within this timeframe.
We encourage mentors and mentees to use the initial session to outline key expectations and goals so that both parties feel supported. We also advise scheduling the remaining three sessions with clear goals and topics.
If both mentor and mentee are willing and it is suitable to the capacities and aims of both parties, this recommended structure can be adapted to meet the respective aims of both parties.
In December, DASSH facilitates a voluntary online discussion where mentors and mentees are invited to provide feedback, share experiences, challenges and benefits. We will be using feedback to design the Mentorship Program in 2026. There will also be options to provide written feedback.
Objectives
The DASSH mentor program intends to support leaders in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities in areas relating to management, academic promotion, succession planning, professional development, developing strategies, capacity planning, leadership, career planning, grant applications, navigating restructures and negotiating contracts.
Our application form seeks to help us understand which area the mentee would like to be supported. DASSH facilitates the administration process of connecting mentors and mentees based on the information provided in this form.
We prioritise area of support ahead of disciplinary alignment when pairing mentors with mentees. If you would prefer to be paired with someone from the same discipline, please state this in the application form.
Parameters
Mentors have committed to four one-hour sessions with mentees over a six-month period. To respect this commitment, DASSH recommends using the initial session to establish key goals, topics and meeting schedule. All sessions should have clear goals and discussion topics.
The mentor is not committing to reading or reviewing material outside of these sessions.
The mentee is not obliged to perform any tasks suggested by the mentor.
DASSH recommends maintaining clear communication throughout the program to manage changing expectations and goals. However, we advise to keep communication between mentor and mentee at a minimum between sessions unless both parties agree otherwise.
The mentor and mentee relationship focuses on professional goals and development. For assistance regarding the mentorship program please contact DASSH. For other matters outside of this remit, please contact your university support or HR team.
Privacy and confidentiality
All matters shared in the context of the Mentorship Program remain private and confidential between the mentor and mentee. Any part of discussion to be shared outside of this relationship must be agreed to by both parties in advance.
During the mentor and mentee sessions and separate sessions facilitated by DASSH, any information shared needs to be anonymous or approved by all parties in advance.
Any information shared during the program should remain internal to the individuals participating in the program.
DASSH is available to support both mentors and mentees throughout the program. Any information shared with us will remain confidential and private.