Are you ready to grow, connect, and make a meaningful impact?

We’re excited to open nominations for our Professional Mentoring Program, and we invite staff from across the organisation to get involved – whether as a mentor or a mentee.

Mentoring is a powerful development experience for both parties. It’s about sharing knowledge, building relationships, and supporting each other’s growth in a way that strengthens our culture and capability.

Why become a mentor?

Mentors play a vital role in shaping the future of our organisation, with opportunities available to staff HEO5+. Whether you’ve mentored before or are considering it for the first time, we’ll support you with resources and guidance to make the experience rewarding.

By offering your time, insight and experience, you’ll:

• Develop your leadership and coaching skills
• Gain fresh perspectives from emerging talent
• Build meaningful cross-functional relationships
• Experience the satisfaction of helping others grow
• Contribute to a culture of learning and collaboration

Our mentors tell us:

“Mentoring at Flinders University has been one of the most rewarding parts of my leadership journey. In 2025, I had the privilege of guiding two talented emerging leaders – sharing insights, navigating challenges, and witnessing their growth. It was deeply fulfilling to know I played a part in their development, and I gained fresh perspectives in return. Mentoring offers a unique space for reflection, connection, and mutual learning.  

I encourage anyone thinking about joining the Professional Mentoring Program to give it a go. It’s a joy to give back and grow together.”

Kim Murphy

“Mentoring at Flinders has been a deeply rewarding experience. It’s a chance to pause, connect, and support someone who’s curious and motivated. Over the years, I’ve seen mentees take on new roles, shift their leadership styles, and grow through small but powerful changes in perspective. The conversations often challenge me too, prompting reflection, expanding my understanding of the university, and helping me confront my own assumptions. I love the depth of thinking it invites and the genuine connections it fosters. It’s peer-led learning at its best, and I always walk away enriched, and excited to mentor again the next year.”

Nalini Klopp

Why become a mentee?

If you’re looking to grow professionally, explore new ideas, or gain support in navigating your career, becoming a mentee could be the next step. Mentoring is open to staff at HEO4-8 levels, and we encourage anyone with a desire to learn and grow to consider nominating themselves.

As a mentee, you’ll:

• Receive personalised guidance and encouragement
• Learn from someone with lived experience
• Build confidence and clarity in your career goals
• Expand your network and organisational awareness
• Take ownership of your development journey

Our mentees tell us:

“The feedback and support I have received from my mentor has helped me to articulate my strengths and achievements more clearly. I feel more confident and better equipped to embrace future opportunities.  Overall, this experience has been incredibly affirming. It has helped me celebrate my progress, trust in my abilities, and gain valuable clarity around my career direction.  I am grateful for the insights, support, and skills I have developed this year and feel confident in continuing to build on this foundation beyond the mentoring program.”

Jordana Hodgetts

“As a mentee, one pivotal conversation with my mentor helped me define “what’s next” and gave me the confidence to act. With my mentor’s support, I stepped out of my comfort zone, moving from behind-the-scenes support to organising an event during Sustainability Week. I also took the initiative to reach out to a colleague in another team and spent a day shadowing them, learning new things and expanding my understanding of the organisation. 

These experiences pushed me to grow, take initiative, and embrace new challenges. The support I received reminded me that growth is not a solo journey, instead it’s built through connection, trust, and shared vision. Mentorship turned uncertainty into action and I’m excited for what comes next.”

Ellaine Grace Dela Cruz

What’s next?

Nominations for both mentors and mentees are now open – with further information and nomination links available here.

Let’s continue to build a workplace where learning, connection, and growth thrive!