CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – January is National Mentoring Month. A mentor is defined as someone who imparts wisdom to and shares knowledge with a less experienced colleague. Learning from a mentor is an invaluable experience — one that a person can’t easily put a price on.

Victoria Robinson is the department head and professor of educational leadership and post-secondary education at the University of Northern Iowa. Through her years, she has had many experiences as both a mentor and a mentee. “Mentors give us one-on-one instruction, one-on-one time to reflect and bounce ideas around and a safe environment to explore, dream big and even fail,” says Robinson. “Mentors also provide insight from their own experiences — the good experiences, the bad experiences and the ugly experiences.”

Robinson can speak to the importance of mentoring and what it takes to be a good mentor. For more information, visit nationalmentoringmonth.org or contact Robinson at 319-273-3070 or victoria.robinson@uni.edu.