MFI Diversity in
Mentoring Program:
A Candid Mentor-Mentee Conversation
The new Municipal Forestry
Institute (MFI) Diversity in
Mentoring Program was created
as a way for MFI graduates from
diverse backgrounds to continue
their leadership journeys through
mentorship. In partnership with the
U.S. Forest Service and Southern
University, this SMA program provides
an opportunity for participants to
support one another professionally.
As part of the first iteration of the
program, MFI 2020 Graduates Maegan
Blansett (mentee) and Miche Palmer
(mentor) were matched based on their
interests and goals. Throughout the
course of 2021, the two met regularly
and built a professional relationship.
At the end of the year, Maegan and
Miche sat down to reflect on their
mentoring journey together.
26 CityTREES
Miche: What motivated you to
join the mentoring program?
Maegan: As someone early in my career, I was
excited about the obvious benefits—professional
development, learning from someone with more
and different experience than my own, building
and maintaining relationships within the SMA
network—and I also wanted to express my grati-
tude for being able to go to MFI on a scholarship
by continuing to be involved however I could.
Maegan: What were some of your
goals at the beginning? Did you
identify any new goals throughout the
program? Did you achieve them?
Miche: When I applied to be a mentor, my main
goal was to provide a perspective based on my
own experience and to support my mentee in their
endeavors. When you expressed that one of your
goals was to build confidence, I made a mental note
to provide support in that area. I believe that a big
part of confidence comes from recognizing one's
competence and successes. As a mentor, I could see
those victories and strengths and point them out.
Maegan: How did you decide to
structure the meetings/relationship?
Miche: At the beginning of the program, its lead-
ership team provided some suggestions on >>
