Mount Royal Faculty Association
Championing collective excellence.
MRFA Triads
Welcome to the MRFA Triads program! This informal and supportive program is designed to help you build cross-disciplinary connections and community with your colleagues at Mount Royal University.
What Are Triads?
A Triad is simply “a group or set of three connected people or things”. At MRU, it’s a small group of faculty members—often including a mix of more and less experienced colleagues—formed to facilitate informal mentorship, professional growth, and collaboration across departments.
Triads have been a part of Mount Royal since the the mid 1990’s, since the “College Days” , offering a meaningful way to exchange advice and support and gain a sense of community.
- Formation: Triads are formed annually in the early fall. Priority is given to matching based on members’ scheduling availability to ensure the best chance of connection. Efforts are also made to match members with varying amounts of experience at MRU and with similar interests.
- Sign Up: Ready to connect? You can sign up to join a triad anytime and the Triad Committee will match you up with a Triad in the early fall
Tips for Connecting: Making Time for Your Triad
We know that time is tight in Members’ busy academic schedules, but consistent connection is key to a successful triad. Remember, your triad’s focus is flexible—it can be as formal or informal as you like.
Here are a few suggestions to help you connect:
- Establish a Rhythm: Consider setting a goal, such as having fun, sharing teaching practices, or working on scholarship development.
- Share the Lead: Rotate the responsibility for scheduling meet-ups among your members.
- Keep it Casual: Utilize the free lattes available in the Faculty Centre for Triad meet-ups.
- Connect Online: If in-person synchronous meetings are difficult, create a Google Chat group to stay connected online.
- Connect at Events: Combine your meet-up with an existing event:
- Attend an MRFA Social Event or the MRFA’s AGM together.
- Explore campus offerings or initiatives, like the gym or a climbing wall, as a group.
The Value of Triads: Why Join?
Triads enrich your personal and professional life by strengthening connections across campus. They offer valuable support whether you’re new to MRU or a long-standing member.
| Faculty Member Type | What You Gain | Excerpts from Triad Testimonials |
| Junior Members | Guidance and insight from senior colleagues on the institution, tenure, annual reports, scholarship etc. | “…a great way to learn how to navigate the institution in the early years… [and] an instant network of supportive colleagues”. |
| Senior Members | Opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. | “…beneficial in terms of discussing teaching and research ideas which may differ due to the different students, department, content, etc”. |
| All Members | A broadened, supportive network and a sense of community across the university. | “…a fantastic way of meeting people from across campus… [for] sharing teaching strategies, discussing research interests, [and] broader mentorship and support.”. |
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Join a Triad! The sign-up deadline is typically mid-September. Sign up here!
Triad Events and Celebrations
The MRFA Triads Committee sponsors events and activities to help you connect. Annual events for the Triads include the Annual Welcome Event, a luncheon typically held in August to launch the Triads program and help new faculty connect, and the Terrific Triads” Photo Contest where you can selfie of your triad connecting (even just your coffee cups!) for a chance to win prizes like MRFA T-shirts or 3-D printed MRFA swag.
- Occasional Events (may not be offered every year)
- Winter Luncheon: A social event to kick off the new year, sometimes aligned with cultural celebrations like the Chinese New Year.
- Year-End Meet-up: An event to gather and celebrate the Triads program, often planned for April.
Triad Feedback
We value your experience! To help us ensure the continued success of the program, a Triad Feedback Form is sent out in the last week of April. Your input helps us understand what works and how we can better support your triad experience.
