Mentoring program launches in East Baltimore, empowering staff to lead with purpose

On Thursday, Sept. 25, the School of Nursing's Carpenter Room B was transformed into a vibrant hub of conversation, community, and celebration as Johns Hopkins University officially launched the Life Design Vanguard Mentoring Program, a pilot initiative designed to support staff in East Baltimore.

Led by the Shekeitha L. Jeffries, life design consultant in the Center for Staff Life Design, the program is envisioned as the first step in a universitywide rollout aimed at expanding mentorship opportunities for staff across all campuses.

Its mission: to empower staff to lead boldly, build meaningful connections, and intentionally shape their personal and professional journeys at Hopkins.

The inaugural cohort brings together 65 staff participants—39 mentees and 26 mentors—from the schools of Public Health, Nursing, and Medicine, and Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures.

The kickoff event began with a coffee networking session setting the stage for a morning filled with stories, shared values, and a collective vision for the future.

"I'm really excited because this pilot is an opportunity for us to learn the kinds of frameworks and structures that are going to work to scale mentoring across the whole university," said Patrick Brugh, director of the Center for Staff Life Design. "Our goal is to make mentoring accessible to every employee across the university, regardless of your division or your job family."

Brugh's talk was titled "Why Mentorship, Why Now?" and framed mentorship not as a luxury but as a strategic imperative for an inclusive and thriving workplace. He shared national trends and internal data showing that mentorship programs directly support retention, engagement, and leadership development. The vision? A future where mentorship is deeply embedded into everyday work, and tools such as myCareer help extend this impact universitywide.

The program also featured a panel discussion with alumni of the Administrative Development Program, who spoke about their own growth through mentorship. "Having someone believe in me, someone who saw my potential before I did, changed everything about how I view myself in this workplace," said panelist Diana Morales.

In a keynote conversation, Meredith Stewart, university vice president and chief human resources officer, offered her perspective on the broader institutional vision:

"Mentorship is how we invest in our people, and how we sustain a culture of belonging and growth," Stewart said. "We've long heard from Johns Hopkins staff that having clear, transparent pathways for career development is essential. That's why, as part of Goal Seven of the Ten for One university strategy, we're launching this pilot mentoring program. When we prioritize mentorship, we're not just supporting individuals. We're cultivating the future of Johns Hopkins."

Attendees left the event energized and committed. Said one mentee, Daivik Chawala, "Throughout my undergraduate tenure at Hopkins, I saw what the power of mentorship can do, and that led me to pursue this opportunity now as a staff member. I think mentorship really allows you to learn a lot from people's experiences, no matter how different they are, and as a new professional, I'm excited to be guided by someone who's been there and can help me navigate the early stages of my career."

Echoing that excitement, participant Lynette Brown-Hill said, "I'm proud to be a mentor in this program, but I also see myself as a learner. Mentorship is a two-way street. I hope to share the knowledge I've gained throughout my career, but I'm also excited to learn from my mentee. For me, it's about growing together. That's what makes this opportunity so meaningful.

The launch event also featured a preview of in-person workshops that will run throughout the year and are available to all benefits-eligible staff, regardless of participation in a mentorship program. Topics will include habit forming, reframing limiting beliefs, design thinking for leadership, and more. Register for a workshop here.

The morning closed with group reflections, a collective affirmation of purpose, and a photo to commemorate the first step in what promises to be a transformative year.

The Life Design Vanguard Mentoring Program is expected to inform future mentorship initiatives across the university, laying the groundwork for scalable, inclusive models of staff development and connection. For more information about the program, or to get involved in future cohorts, visit the Center for Staff Life Design website.

Image credit: MOLLYE MILLER