History of IMA

History of IMA

In the beginning …

In 1987 a number of individuals interested in mentoring came together for a conference at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Among topics of discussion was the use of mentoring to increase the retention of students of color in higher education and other mentoring benefits and applications. The enthusiastic response to the conference and the opportunity to learn from each other led to a proposal to form a mentoring association.

On July 28-29, 1988, the interested parties met at Rhode Island Community College in Warwick, Rhode Island and the National Mentoring Association was formed. By-laws were drafted, committees formed, and a Board of Directors and officers were chosen.

On October 23, 1988, the association membership met at the American College at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. At that meeting, the proposed by-laws were adopted and the Association ratified by the majority of members present.

The National Mentoring Association was established in response to the growing need for an organized forum focusing on innovative mentoring ideas and practices. Many of the original members of IMA came from higher education, but the desire to learn about effective mentoring and to support a worldwide mentoring initiative, led these persons to reach out to and learn from others from every setting.

The Association quickly grew to become a worldwide organization that effectively unites a broad cross-section of hundreds of individuals, all of whom are interested in the theory and practice of effective mentoring. The name of the Association was changed to reflect this international membership and initiative. Every member of the International Mentoring Association brings a diverse, unique experience and a fresh perspective from the various fields of mentoring that each represents. But all members share a common commitment to learning how to increase the effective use of mentoring through our work together.

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