Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS staff in Rose Patten Mentorship Program report transformational impact
Published on: January 13, 2025
The Rose Patten Mentorship Program at the University of Toronto has been cultivating meaningful relationships between University staff for over 20 years. Offered by the Centre for Learning, Leadership & Culture (LLC), the program offers insights into U of T’s culture and divisional structure while helping staff widen their networks, enhance their visibility and benefit from a mentor’s guidance in their career.
A number of ITS staff who recently participated in the program spoke of its transformative impact and the benefits of learning from senior professionals.
William Heikoop, Coordinator, Digital Learning Innovation was initially interested in the chance to build a broader network and learn more about the University. But he found much more.
“I made connections that I hadn’t even considered before enrolling,” says Heikoop, noting that he also benefited from the program’s structured workshops and sessions, including creating a career development plan.
“This can really help you understand where you are, where you want to go, and how you’ll get there,” he says.
Navigating challenges and change
Esther Simmonds-MacAdam, Service Management Program Lead, Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions described how the mentorship program supported her transition into a leadership role.
“When I applied for the mentorship program in 2023, I was in the middle of steering a complex project of systemic and cultural change,” says Simmonds-MacAdam.
“I was facilitating a 12-person group in their adoption of new tools and processes—in change management work you’re asking people to let go of systems they have used for years and embrace the unknown. You feel their fear, doubt and anxiety. You do whatever you can to support them through it.”
To assist her in this work, Simmonds-MacAdam says both she and her managers saw that she could benefit from mentorship.
Her mentor, Payam Zahedi—formerly Director, Office of the Vice Principal, Research & Innovation, UTM, and now the inaugural Director, Office of the Dean, Rotman School of Management—was “phenomenal,” says Simmonds-MacAdam.
“Payam was supportive, generous and placed my value in front of me at every meeting. My confidence as a leader bloomed under his clear, no-nonsense style.”
Expanding horizons: Advice for future participants
Both Heikoop and Simmonds-MacAdam encourage ITS staff—and all eligible U of T staff—to consider applying for the program.
“As ITS staff, the nature of our work can distance us from the rest of the University,” says Simmonds-MacAdam. “If you notice that there are gaps in your knowledge about U of T, I would encourage you to try mentorship wherever you are in your career.”
Heikoop adds that preparation and engagement are key, pointing out that “you get what you put in to the program.” He stresses the importance of setting time aside to work on the initiative’s programming and networking.
Building a culture of mentorship
The Rose Patten Mentorship Program also underscores the importance of mentorship for underrepresented voices.
“The program actively works to remove barriers in our workplaces and encourages participation from equity-deserving groups,” says Bill Brennan, Assistant Director, Learning and Leadership Development, LLC. “We want everyone to feel like they belong.”
Simmonds-MacAdam experienced this critical aspect of mentorship firsthand.
“When I applied, I was one of two women in a 50+ person group of IT professionals,” she says. “I needed strategies and resourcing to find balance in this new environment.”
Leaders within ITS and beyond are encouraged to support their teams in exploring mentorship—and the recently launched IT@UofT Strategic Plan highlights professional development as a cornerstone for organizational success.
While the Rose Patten Mentorship Program is only open to employees with over 18 months of service and in certain pay bands, there are also group mentoring opportunities for all appointed staff. The next opportunity to apply for the Rose Patten Mentorship Program opens in October of 2025. In the meantime, appointed staff who are interested in group mentoring can apply as early as June 2025.
For questions relating to these programs, please visit the mentorship programs page on the LLC website, or email llc@utoronto.ca.