[MUSIC PLAYING]
NIRVA LAFORTUNE: Guidance.
TRACY MANSOUR: The opportunity to have a senior level
person who can give you information and guidance,
it just seemed invaluable to me.
MAUD MANDEL: I've had some good mentors in my life.
And so, I really liked the idea of being
able to provide back some of the guidance and support.
RICHARD LOCKE: I feel like my life has been enriched,
that now I have a friend.
Not only can I have this person and see
all the wonderful things she's doing,
but also can sort of take me out of the bubble
that sometimes at least I fall into, and I think all of us do.
So that I can learn about different perspectives
on particular issues, and experiences,
and stuff like that.
And professionally, it was enriching
because people assume that if you're
a provost, or at some level of higher administration,
you know a lot.
But it's very easy not to actually
have a more comprehensive understanding
of what's going on.
ZOLLA QUEZADA: So first, I've been
able to think differently about my position, about my role
in the office.
I've been able to get in touch with other people
that I wouldn't otherwise.
I've been able to sit with in meeting,
and talk to about their roles and their areas of focus.
RICHARD LOCKE: Time, I mean, being
able to carve out the time, and to not just sort of do
you have the hour, but do you--
is your head clear, so you can really
listen, and pay attention, and not pretend you're listening,
but sort of processing something that happened.
Because when Nirva and I met, it was always such a joy.
And time flew by really, really fast.
But I felt that I wish I had had more time.
And I think going forward, that's one
of the things I would really suggest that people really
have.
They have to plan it.
NIRVA LAFORTUNE: Going in, I think
it was a bit challenging for me, because I thought to myself,
wow, this is someone who's is the provost of the university,
I don't necessarily deserve to have this person as a mentor.
How do I-- like, what are the questions I should have?
Like I wanted to have the right questions.
I wanted to have the right approach.
RICHARD LOCKE: You were very prepared.
NIRVA LAFORTUNE: Maybe overly.
MARISA QUINN: Yes, I would definitely encourage someone
to participate in this program, either as a mentor or a mentee,
because there is something to be gained for both sides.
And I was often wondering who is the mentor
in this relationship.
Because I learned a lot from Tracy.
And I also think that in a place like Brown, it's a large place.
And the more you can build connections
with individuals across the campus,
the better you'll be in your own profession,
and the more joy you'll have in coming to work every day.
NIRVA LAFORTUNE: I would say to be open,
to ask as many questions as possible, because that's
the only way you'll learn.
To not be afraid to step out of your box.
To also challenge the person as well a bit.
Because I think too, to get the most out of it,
sometimes you have to push people a little bit.
MAUD MANDEL: It's as invaluable for the mentor
as it is for the mentee.
And so participation has benefits for both sides.
RICHARD LOCKE: Friend.
MARISA QUINN: I'd say rewarding.
ZOLLA QUEZADA: Empowering.
NIRVA LAFORTUNE: Impactful.
MAUD MANDEL: I was going to say invigorating.
TRACY MANSOUR: It was definitely a lot of fun for me.
Very much so, a lot of fun.