**Abstract**

Mentoring plays an essential role in preparing the next generation of higher education leaders. This chapter will examine the role of mentoring on college campuses, describe its impact on faculty and staff growth, and highlight its function in leadership development. A background of mentoring research, including a discussion of its benefits, types, and stages will be shared. The chapter investigates the idea of mentors encouraging colleagues to become leaders through example, shared knowledge, and encouragement. A relational leadership theoretical perspective as it applies to mentoring provides a lens for understanding how mentoring and leadership intersect. Further, the chapter will consider the effect of gender on mentoring and mentoring in higher education. Results from a study conducted about mentoring relationships in higher education, leadership, and gender will be presented.

**Keywords:** mentoring, higher education, women, relational leadership theory, gender
