2023-24 BMC lead mentorsBerkeley Mentorship Cohort
Developing true engineering leaders
At Berkeley Engineering, we don’t just talk about equity and inclusion — we have robust programs in place to bolster retention and a sense of belonging for every member of our community.
The Berkeley Mentorship Cohort (BMC) is a year-long program. Getting admitted to Berkeley Engineering is a big achievement in itself and succeeding here will challenge you in ways you might never have expected. That’s why we offer a mentorship program to give each one of you the individual support you need.
Hear the personal experiences with BMC from current students and the nuts and bolts of the program with last year’s program director on the June 24, 2024 episode of The not so Secret Guide to being a Berkeley Engineer.
My mentor has been a foundational part of my first year at Cal, and made me feel like a part of both the IEOR community and overall the CoE community.
Jennifer Yu-Chen
(2023-24 Transfer Family Mentee)
Program mission
To use the power of mentorship to increase access and equity for everyone in our community. Providing a welcoming culture where all Berkeley Engineering students feel valued and supported by peer mentors, faculty and staff, our goal is to ensure that our students feel prepared to fully unlock their individual and collective potential by continuing to pay it forward. BMC serves scholars at every stage of their academic careers, creating a pipeline of support and enhancing our students’ holistic wellness.
Goals of the program
For mentees:
- To increase students’ retention and success
- To provide individualized and ongoing mentorship from peers
- To increase campus acculturation and sense of belonging in the engineering community
- To mitigate the academic, professional and social challenges faced by many students
For mentors:
- To increase campus acculturation and sense of belonging in the engineering community
- To expand students’ networks and build community
- To develop leadership skills and confidence
- To develop a network of industry professionals and Berkeley alumni
Components
Individualized mentoring: Mentors and mentees meet each month throughout the academic year. These meetings will enable students to seek counsel and share aspects of their growth.
Group mentoring: Pairs of mentors and mentees connect with each other throughout the academic year to develop community and receive specific aid in areas where individualized mentoring may not be sufficient. Mentors build a network of support so that their mentees can rely on their mentoring community skills.
Workshops and community-building events: Mentors and mentees can participate in community-building events as well as workshops addressing academic excellence, professional development, leadership and mental and physical wellness.
Staff support and training: The BMC and partners provide training to equip staff members with tools for effective communication, academic excellence and professional development.
Alumni mentors: Berkeley alumni are invited throughout a year to speak to mentors and mentees about their experiences. These presentations are a great opportunity to network and find information about career paths and internships.
As a Mexican-American first generation college student coming from a low-income community, I know the struggles that some of the incoming class will face, and I want to be there to get them through it. For some students, it will be their first time away from home, and I want to make Berkeley their new home. I want my mentee to be happy and successful at Berkeley.
Simon Gonzalez Brambila
2025-26 application
The 2025-26 program is pairing first-year undergraduate students with peer mentors. Check back this summer for the application.
Mentors must:
- Attend all events hosted by BMC and the Engineering Student Services
- Engage in monthly one-on-one meetings with your mentee(s)
- Attend bi-weekly training sessions
- Attend monthly check-in meetings with their lead mentor
Mentees must:
- Attend all events hosted by BMC and the Engineering Student Services
- Engage in monthly one-on-one meetings with your mentor
- Attend mentee orientation.
This work is made possible through the generous funding and support from Andrew Yang and the Berkeley Engineering Fund.