The Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity Council (IDEC) at USM, in collaboration with the Office of Equity, Inclusion, & Community Impact (EICI), has created a pilot program called the New Employee Support Partnership Program to give employees a jump start in making connections and finding support through USM’s various programs and communities.
This is a voluntary program that offers opportunities for newer employees to meet informally with a small group for coffee or tea (on us!) approximately once a month during the fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters at USM. Each group will include two Connectors (employees who have experience navigating the University), and two newer employees. The Connectors won’t be from the same departments as the new employees to avoid hierarchical relationships.
To ensure a personalized experience, Connectors and newer employees are matched based on a survey that includes optional questions about identities that matter to each individual. The program originates with research from IDEC regarding the retention of employees from underrepresented groups and the importance of relationships and support for retention and employee satisfaction in general.
There will also be a reception event later in the fall 2024 semester where all the Connectors and new employees can get to know one another as a larger group.
If you are a new employee interested in participating, please contact Netty Provost or Aaron Witham by Sep. 19, 2024.
For the pilot, we asked folks to self-define if they are a “new employee.” We welcome participants who have been recently hired, recently changed positions, or still feel new to USM, even if they’ve been with us for a year or more, and think they would benefit from this program. Staff and faculty are welcome to participate.
The purpose of these coffee/tea chats is to support new employees’ transition into the USM community and build relationships. For example, employees can:
- Ask questions about day-to-day life as a newer employee
- Ask questions that you don’t feel comfortable asking your immediate coworkers, supervisor, or Human Resources (HR)
- Get to know folks outside of your department and build relationships in the USM community
- Find out about affinity groups and other organizations on campus that may interest you
- Learn about USM’s nuances, including informal structures and processes that may not be clear to newer employees
- Clarify any additional topics you want to learn more about, beyond HR’s onboarding processes