"My MMP experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Going into the program, I was unsure of what I was looking to gain, but I knew that I wanted to make connections to help me grow, and MMP gave me that plus so much more. My leadership project pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to grow not only as a research administrator but as an individual as well. Thanks to the phenomenal guidance of my mentor, I overcame my initial concerns about implementing such a large project and created something that was truly transformative to my campus research culture. The MMP was a great stepping stone for me in my research administration journey, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested."

"The MMP strengthens our profession as research administrators by creating lasting connections that will last throughout our career. The shared experiences and knowledge enrich both the mentors and mentees as they grow together."

"I applied for the MMP with the hope that I would learn more about the field and meet new people and the experience exceeded my expectations. While developing my leadership project, I appreciated one-on-one meetings with my MMP mentor so that I could obtain constructive criticism and discuss my ideas. Monthly meetings with the committee, mentors, and mentees were valuable not only for the chance to hear guest speakers, but also to ask questions. Finally, being able to present my project at the NCURA Region V conference gave me the chance to hone my presentation skills and provided me an engaged audience with whom to discuss how to assess, improve, and expand upon the original idea. I am so thankful to have had the chance to be part of the program and to grow professionally and personally."

"I had the honor of participating in the NCURA Region V MMP as a mentor and found the entire program and experience much more rewarding than I anticipated. I believe I learned and grew from the program, materials and input from others as much, if not more, than the mentees did."

"I really enjoyed getting to know all of the mentees in our cohort. They asked thoughtful questions and earnestly wanted to learn and grow in their research administration careers. I am so glad that research administration is recognized as a fulfilling career path."

"I firmly believe that to be an exceptional leader one must seek guidance and inspiration from people who have already walked the path they wish to take. The Mustang Mentoring Program is the most unique professional development program I’ve experienced in my career. As mentees, we were exposed to some of the most knowledgeable and empathetic national leaders in institutional leadership, research compliance, health policy, and research development. I became a better person and a more effective team member upon graduation."

"MMP was a great experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to grow in their professional RA career. The format of having a 1:1 mentor, along with a group of peers who are also interesting in learning and bettering themselves, provided an environment that was supportive, educational, and fun! MMP was such an impactful experience that even though I have moved to another region, I am now a mentor in the LeadMe Region VI/VII 2023 cohort. Anyone who is considering applying for this program should absolutely do it – you will not be disappointed."

"The Mustang Mentoring Program is a wonderful experience. The opportunity to work with new research administrators and help them find ways to grow in the field was a great way to help give back to the field. I admit that I also learned a lot from the excellent speakers and mentees. Always room to grow."