PREP Mentor Program participants Samantha Reth (mentor) and Bella Munoz (mentee). (Photo by Adam Lau/Berkeley Engineering)

Berkeley Mentorship Cohort

Developing true engineering leaders

The Berkeley Mentorship Cohort (BMC) is a year-long program. Getting admitted to Berkeley Engineering is a big achievement in itself. Succeeding here will challenge you in ways you might never have expected. That’s why we offer a robust mentorship program to give each one of you the individual support you need.

In BMC we’re increasing access and equity for everyone in our community. We close opportunity gaps for marginalized groups. 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. We’ll be serving scholars at every stage of their academic careers, creating a pipeline of support and enhancing our students’ holistic wellness.

The program is open to everyone, even if they don’t identify with an existing family.

Program mission

To educate leaders by providing every student with the chance to partner with a mentor to develop a collaborative relationship.
To use the power of mentorship to access growth opportunities for a diverse group of future engineering leaders.
To unite the wisdom and experience of our community, bringing together alumni, faculty, staff, and students.
To advance the importance and practice of mentorship by recognizing Berkeley mentors who foster positive leadership.

The PREP mentor family is designed to provide individualized mentorship, professional development opportunities, and academic support to first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students in the College of Engineering. As part of this program, you’ll build strong relationships with your mentor or mentee, increase your awareness of campus and off-campus resources, and gain the skills needed to succeed at Berkeley.

Designed to provide individualized mentorship, academic support, and professional development opportunities to self-identifying women in the College of Engineering, this family is composed of students who want to share their experiences navigating the world of Engineering as women, and provides a space of empowerment for mentors and mentees to build community as engineers at Berkeley and beyond.

Goals of the program

For mentees:

To increase the retention and success of self-identifying women, first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented minorities in the College of Engineering
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 in guiding a mentee

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, as well as to inform mentors on how to best support students’ success.

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.

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.

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 battle and I want to be there to get them through it. I know 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.
2021-22 PREP MENTOR

Information session

2023 info session will be announced in May

2023-24 application

The 2022-23 program is pairing first-year undergraduate students with peer mentors. Please note that not all mentors and mentees will be selected. There are a limited number of spots and selection will be based on major, interests, and other matching criteria. If selected, mentors will receive a stipend for the year.

Mentor application

Application 2023-24 will open on June 1, 2023

Mentors must:

Attend all events hosted by the program
Engage in monthly one-on-one meetings with your mentee(s)
Meet with the program manager throughout the semester to update on progress and discuss any challenges
Attend at least one advising session

Mentee application

Application 2023-24 will open on June 1, 2023

This work is made possible through the generous funding and support from Andrew Yang and the Berkeley Engineering Fund.