IT Mentoring

Peer mentoring relationships that elevate success

Applications open for 2025!

The IT Mentoring program connects UW–‍Madison employees in peer relationships that enhance skills, knowledge and experience. Our team of experienced IT professionals carefully match applicants to find ideal mentor pairings that help all participants get the most out of the relationship. Once matched, mentors and mentees set their own expectations, goals and schedules for the mentoring relationship.

Become a mentor   Get paired with a mentor

Sign up today and be ready to meet your match at our January 28, 2025, kickoff meeting.

What we do


Mentorship pairing to match mentees’ interests with mentors’ experience


Networking events with the wider IT community


Enhance professional and interpersonal skills with interactive workshops


Share a collection of curated learning resources

  1. Applications open each November
  2. We create matchups and kick off the program in January
  3. Mentors and mentees meet at least once per month from January through August
  4. The full cohort meets 4 times per year, including a closing celebration at the end of summer

Mentoring is a relationship that benefits both the mentor and the mentee. If you want support navigating career challenges, setting and reaching goals and growing your professional network, the IT Mentoring program is a great choice for you.

Mentoring works well when:

  • The mentor and mentee agree on goals and make a plan that works for both of them
  • The mentor has the experience that’s relevant to what the mentee wants to achieve
  • The mentee feels free to ask questions, seek advice and receive professional introductions from their mentor

Join our email list to hear about IT mentoring opportunities.

Join our email list

News & events

IT Mentoring events

No events returned.

Mission, values and history

IT Mentoring is more than just a program—it’s a catalyst for transformation. We foster a culture of continuous learning, mutual support and professional development, contributing to the vibrancy of the UW IT community. Our mission is to bridge the gap between experienced IT professionals and those at the beginning or middle of their career paths. We create a purposeful environment where professionals share knowledge, skills and experiences to propel each other’s personal and professional development. We aim to foster connections that lead to improved collaboration across different units in service of the university mission.

The IT Mentoring program was founded around 2015 by the UW IT Onboarding Team and was one of the first programs under the IT Connects umbrella.

Who we are

Co-leads

Portrait of Conor Klecker

Conor Klecker

Position title: IT Manager, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Portrait of Ella Tschopik

Ella Tschopik

Position title: MERIT IT Help Desk Manager, School of Education

Steering committee

If you’re passionate about mentoring, want to develop your leadership skills, or simply desire to help strengthen UW–‍Madison’s IT community, this is a perfect opportunity to make a big difference for your colleagues.

Apply to join the IT Mentoring steering committee

UW-IT Connects

IT Mentoring is part of IT Connects, a coalition of volunteer IT professionals from across the university dedicated to breaking down silos by providing resources and opportunities for UW’s IT community to learn and grow together.

Explore IT Connects initiatives

UW–‍Madison IT Connects events

No events returned.