About the Research Advancement Mentorship Program (RAMP)
The Research Advancement Mentorship Program recognizes exceptional LMU faculty members with backgrounds in grant-seeking, publishing, and research experience. RAMP mentors receive professional development opportunities to build out a mentorship philosophy, develop strategies to mentor fellow faculty members, and access additional training tools. Recognized members are open to serving as mentors to fellow faculty members, and will present on a topic of research advisement to the LMU faculty and staff community during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Faculty and staff who are interested in reaching out to the mentors for advice or to explore a mentoring relationship for the 2024-2025 academic year can explore mentor profiles, explore the FAQs below, or reach out to the ORGSP at natalie.sweet@lmunet.edu for more information.
Meet the 2024-2025 Ramp Mentors
The 2024-2025 Ramp Mentors are exceptional faculty members with a range of academic interests and skills in research, publishing, and grant proposals and management. Review the profiles below to learn more about their work, and reach out for either inquiries or longer consultations.
Rebecca Brackmann
Associate Professor of English
RAMP Focuses: Writing for research and publication, social media and networking, conference writing and presentations
RAMP Focuses: Creating storylines, the writing process for publication and grant process, communicating with different audiences, utilizing AI writing support with grant and research writing
Faculty and staff members at any LMU campus site are eligible to participate. Mentors are experienced faculty members, while mentees may be early-career or mid-career faculty seeking guidance. However, no matter where you are in your career, if you need assistance in a mentor's focus area, they are there to help.
Yes! You may have a question about publishing, grants, or another research area where you just want to have a one-time chat. The mentors are available to answer those questions. Should you wish to formalize a mentorship agreement after your chat, you are welcome to do so.
Mentees are invited to review the list of mentors and their focuses on the RAMP Mentor page and reach out to mentors by the listed contact information. Should mentorship be pursued, the ORGSP can assist in facilitating a mentorship agreement and/or communication plan between the interested parties. Interested mentees are also welcome to contact the ORGSP at natalie.sweet@lmunet.edu with assistance in being matched with a mentor.
Mentors provide guidance, share experiences, and offer support. Mentees should be proactive, open to feedback, and engaged in the mentoring relationship. To signal commitment to these ideas and to also manage time, mentors and mentees will enter into mentorship agreements and complete a communication plan so that both parties' time and schedules are respected.
It is recommended that mentors and mentees meet once every month to two months to check in on goals, but the frequency can be adjusted based on mutual agreement and individual needs.
Topics may include research, writing, and career development, work-life balance, research strategies, publication strategies, student research mentorship, grant writing, promotion processes, and networking opportunities. The mentor and mentee will set goals at the beginning of the mentorship relationship to reflect the area in which the mentee desires to grow.
The formal mentoring relationship can last one academic year (August 2024 - May 2025).
Yes, faculty and staff members can engage in multiple mentoring relationships if they feel it will benefit their professional growth.
If the relationship isn’t productive, either party can request a reassignment by abiding by the terms of Mentorship Agreement and contact the ORGSP at natalie.sweet@lmunet.edu. The program encourages open communication to address any issues.
Yes, mentoring sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone, or other remote communication methods, especially if geographical distance or time constraints are a factor. All LMU campus sites are encouraged to participate.
Yes, discussions between mentors and mentees should be kept confidential unless both parties agree to share certain information.
