2023-24 BMC lead mentorsEngineering Mentorship Program
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 Engineering Mentorship Program (EMP) 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.
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. EMP 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 EMP 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. Applications are open, deadline to apply August 22. Note – Mentor application deadline has been extended to September 8.
Benefits of the program:
- Receive ongoing mentorship from a peer mentor
- Participate in professional development, academic success, and wellness workshops, and community events
- Learn about and access resources both on and off campus
- Build a community within Berkeley Engineering
If selected, mentees are required to:
- Attend all events hosted by the program
- Engage in monthly one-on-one meetings with your mentor
If you are a second year student or above in the College of Engineering and would like to share your insights with incoming students please apply. Prior experience with EMP, previously known as the Berkeley Mentorship Cohort (BMC), is preferred but not required. Please note you must be a continuing student to apply.
EMP mentors have the opportunity to:
- Receive training to acquire mentoring skills
- Participate in professional development workshops and community events
- Help cultivate an engineering community!
As a mentor will be responsible for:
- Attending mentor trainings in September, prior to the start of the program
- Attending all events hosted by the program
- Engaging in one-on-one meetings with your mentee(s)
- Keeping the program manager and lead mentors updated on your progress and about any challenges
We are looking for mentors who:
- Can commit to EMP for an academic year
- Enjoy engaging with incoming students and establishing connections
- Want to create a sense of belonging in the College of Engineering and UC Berkeley as a whole
- Have valuable insights as a Berkeley Engineering student that they want to pass along
- Are looking to grow their mentorship, leadership, and facilitation skills
Please contact Monica Marquez, EMP Program Manager, if you have any questions or concerns.
This work is made possible through the generous funding and support from Andrew Yang and the Berkeley Engineering Fund.