Effective workplace mentoring programs drive employee engagement, retention, and leadership development while strengthening organizational culture. Research consistently shows that employees are more loyal, productive, and motivated when organizations invest in structured learning and professional growth opportunities. This online course provides a practical roadmap for designing, implementing, and sustaining successful workplace mentoring programs that deliver measurable results.
Led by Susan Harper, Certified Fraud Examiner and retired IRS Internal Revenue Agent, this course explores best practices for mentoring programs from the perspectives of the organization, the mentor, and the mentee. Participants will learn how to establish SMART goals for mentoring initiatives, anticipate common challenges, and implement proven solutions. The program also covers qualitative and quantitative metrics used to measure engagement, accountability, and outcomes, while highlighting the benefits mentoring delivers to employees, leadership, and the organization as a whole.
Publication Date: August 2026
Designed For
This course is designed for professionals responsible for talent development, employee engagement, and leadership growth within their organizations.
Topics Covered
- Workplace mentoring best practices
- SMART goal setting for mentoring programs
- Roles and expectations of mentors and mentees
- Common mentoring challenges and practical solutions
- Metrics for measuring engagement and program success
- Organizational, leadership, and employee benefits
- Workplace mentoring trends and statistics
Learning Objectives
- Identify best practices for effective workplace mentoring programs at the organizational, mentor, and mentee levels
- Develop SMART goals to support a successful and sustainable mentoring initiative
- Evaluate common workplace mentoring challenges and implement recommended solutions
- Apply qualitative and quantitative metrics to measure mentoring engagement and program effectiveness
- Identify the benefits of mentoring for employee development, leadership growth, and organizational performance
- Analyze current workplace mentoring statistics to support program adoption and improvement
Level
Basic
Instructional Method
Self-Study
NASBA Field of Study
Business Management & Organization (2 hours)
Program Prerequisites
None
Advance Preparation
None
Instructor
Susan Harper
Susan Harper, CFE, is a veteran tax authority, credentialed Certified Fraud Examiner, and educator who dedicated nearly four decades to federal tax administration and compliance. She began her distinguished career with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 1988 as an Internal Revenue Agent. Over the next 37 years, she became a foundational figure in the agency's specialized enforcement and technical analytics initiatives.
In 2002, Ms. Harper was selected to join the IRS’s very first Abusive Tax Avoidance Transaction group spearheading complex investigations into high-level tax evasion schemes. Building on this specialized background, she transitioned in 2008 to the Office of Fraud Enforcement, serving for 13 years as a Fraud Technical Advisor. In this critical role, she leveraged her forensic expertise to provide advanced technical guidance on high-risk, fraudulent tax compliance issues nationwide.
Driven by a passion for innovation, Ms. Harper joined the Research, Applied Analytics, & Statistics (RAAS) division in 2021 to continue developing a cutting-edge strategic research tool for frontline compliance employees. Her technical prowess and strategic vision quickly elevated her to the role of Technical Advisor to the Chief of RAAS, and ultimately, Technical Advisor to the IRS’s Chief Operating Officer.
Ms. Harper officially retired from federal service in September 2025, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and enhanced financial enforcement.
Beyond her investigative and strategic achievements, Ms. Harper is a deeply committed educator. Since 2000, she has been sharing her vast knowledge by instructing federal income tax seminars and, more recently, interactive webinars. She thrives on the dynamic interaction with her students and looks forward to shaping the next generation of tax and fraud professionals through teaching for many years to come.