MELD Learning Forum: Understanding Mentoring Ecosystems

The kickoff MELD Learning Forum brought together leaders from the UNM Mentoring Institute, CIMER, and the International Mentoring Association to explore how mentoring ecosystems strengthen access, quality, and impact across organizations. Facilitators introduced mentoring ecosystems as living networks of relationships—extending beyond one-to-one mentoring to include peers, leaders, programs, policies, and communities. Participants were invited to reflect on their own roles as mentors, mentees, connectors, and program leaders, recognizing that effective ecosystems rely on shared responsibility and multiple forms of support. Discussion highlighted key elements of strong ecosystems: access to multiple mentors, quality relationships, intentional program design, continuous improvement, and visible organizational commitment. Participants noted that mentoring is most effective when it is embedded in culture—not treated as a compliance activity or an added burden. ____________________ Learn more about MELD at https://tinyurl.com/MELDCollaboration Register for our upcoming forums at https://tinyurl.com/MELDLearningForums MELD integrates IMA’s global leadership in mentoring best practices, community-building, and accreditation, CIMER’s evidence-based mentor and mentee training, grounded in rigorous research, and UNM Mentoring Institute’s work in building mentoring cultures across higher education and communities. The Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) https://cimerproject.org/ International Mentoring Institute (IMA) www.mentoringassociation.org University of New Mexico Mentoring Institute (UNM MI) https://mentor.unm.edu/