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Florida Atlantic Mentoring Programs



First and Proud Alumni Mentoring Program


Main point of contact: Sherry Bees (sbees@fau.edu) 561-297-6028

Description: The First and Proud Alumni Mentoring Program connects Florida Atlantic alums who have indicated they are first-gen to mentor current ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app who are also first-gen. The program pairs ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app alums with upper-class junior and senior first-gen ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app in intentional 1:1 mentoring focused on career, life skills, and support.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet: Upper-class junior and senior first-gen ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app


Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry Peer Mentors


Main point of contact: Alexis Miller (alexismiller@fau.edu) 561-297-2073

Description: The Peer Mentor Program is designed to help guide undergraduate ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app who are interested in pursuing research and inquiry, by providing student mentors. Each summer, 10 peer mentors are selected to serve as ambassadors for the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry for one year. These ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app are active researchers who assist their peers in getting involved in research and inquiry by mentoring, hosting workshops, giving classroom presentations, and other activities.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet:

  • Be in good academic standing at the university
  • Have a minimum of one semester of DIS/DIR or other documented research experiences completed before applying (Preference will be given to those applicants with more than one semester of documented research.)
  • Commit to a one-year agreement as a Peer Mentor (Summer through Summer)
  • Commit to active participation in the student club, Council for Scholarship and Inquiry (CSI)
  • Commit to continue research in the academic year as an active peer mentor

Honors in Biological Sciences – The Honors Research Thesis Pathway


Main point of contact: Evelyn Frazer (efrazier@fau.edu) 561-297-4472

Description: The Honors Research Thesis Pathway was designed to guide ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app working on their own research projects at any laboratory in Biology, and Neuroscience and Behavior to write a research proposal to submit for funding and an Honor’s Thesis. Upon successful completion of the courses and public presentation of their Honor’s Thesis ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app receive upper division honors distinction on their transcripts upon graduation.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet:

  1. Must be a major in the following: BA/BS Biology, Neuroscience & Behavior
  2. Minimum 3.2 GPA at time of application and graduation
  3. Minimum 20 credits in Biology coursework that must include the following:
    • Biodiversity + Lab (requires a "B" or better)
    • Biological Principles + Lab (requires a "B" or better)
    • General Chemistry + Lab (I & II) (requires a "B" or better)
  1. Minimum one semester of Directed Independent Research (DIR) credits
  2. Recommendation Letter from a Biology Faculty Member (not the research mentor)

Applications are due July 28th. Presentations are always scheduled the week before the fall semester begins. All applicants will receive an email to schedule the day/time of their presentation. Please see the for specific dates. More information at:


The Honors in Biological Science Research Pathway Program Ìý


Main point of contact: Kailiang Jia (kjia@fau.edu) 561-297-0512

Description: The Honors in Biological Science Research Pathway program recognizes research accomplishments of talented undergraduates.Ìý Students conduct independent, supervised research, write a grant proposal with the option to submit and present a poster or seminar at a local, regional, national or international research conference/symposium describing the results of their honors research.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet:

  1. Must be a major in the following: BA/BS Biology, Neuroscience & Behavior or Major in Medical Biology Program
  2. Minimum 3.2 GPA at time of application and graduation
  3. Minimum 20 credits in Biology coursework that must include the following:
    • Biodiversity + Lab
    • Biological Principles + Lab
    • General Chemistry + Lab (I & II)

Applications are accepted three times per year and ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app begin the semester following their application submission. To learn more, please visit:


University Honors Peer Academic Coaching


Main point of contact: Heather Smith (smithh@fau.edu)

Description: The University Honors Program is a 2-year honors program located on the Boca Raton campus, where mentoring occurs through the integration of peer academic coaching. Peer Academic Coaches play a pivotal part in the support first-year ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app as they transition to college life, offering personalized and group academic coaching for a wide range of subjects and academic success strategies.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet: UHP Peer Academic Coaches and those they mentor must be active or former members of the University Honors Program.


¼ø»ÆÊ¦app Tech Runway Mentor Program


Main point of contact: Beverly Marsh (marshb@fau.edu) 561-297-0927

Description: Florida Atlantic Tech Runway® is a South Florida public-private partnership that serves as a hub to accelerate technology development and incubate startup companies. Tech Runway seeks exceptional entrepreneurs and startups with high-growth potential and disruptive technologies. Companies accepted into the Venture Program often have a strategic alignment with ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app's research focus areas. The ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app Tech Runway Mentor Program provides mentoring to the startup companies that are accepted into the Venture Program. Applications are open twice a year.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet: Startup must have been accepted into the Venture Program.


Educate Tomorrow


Main point of contact: Catherine Madro (caroca2014@fau.edu) 561-297-3064

Description: Educate Tomorrow at ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app is a comprehensive program designed specifically for ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app who have experienced foster care or homelessness. The program provides ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app with wrap-around services from admission to graduation, with the goal of creating a strong foundation of support, academic coaching, career advising, and access to services on and off campus.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet: Students in the Educate Tomorrow program are either foster youth or ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app experiencing homelessness who have either a DCF Waiver or Homeless Exemption with ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app.


First-Year and Transfer Connections


Main point of contact: Oriana Fernandez (mentoring@fau.edu) 561-297-0821

Description: Whether a first-year or transfer student, the program introduces ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app new to ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app to a faculty, staff, graduate student, or undergraduate peer mentor. Matches are made based on academic interests, co-curricular involvement, and shared goals for a mentoring relationship.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet:

  • First-Year Connections: Any undergraduate student new to ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app within their first two semesters of enrollment not already affiliated with a mentoring program.
  • Transfer Connections: Any transfer student new to ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app not already affiliated with a mentoring program.


Elite Owl Program


Main point of contact: Christopher Thomas (christophert2018@fau.edu) 561-297-3735

Description: The Elite Owl program is a premiere ambassador leadership and service program designed to recognize exemplary student leaders at ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app. Through intensive leadership development, the Elite Owls facilitate workshops, explore local issues, and assist in the logistics of the Weppner Center for LEAD & Service-Learning (Lead & Serve)’s many initiatives.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet:

  • Enrolled as a Junior or Senior
  • 2.8 GPA or above
  • Personal Statement/ cover letter
  • Resume
  • Previous leadership experience (formal and/or informal)
  • Good judicial standing with the University
  • Interview for Selection

¼ø»ÆÊ¦app’s Academy for Community Inclusion


Main point of contact: Gwendolyn Carey (gcarey@fau.edu) 561-799-8348

Description: The ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app Academy for Community Inclusion is a comprehensive transition program for adults with intellectual disabilities and continues to employ approximately 10 peer mentors per semester to support our ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app with intellectual disabilities. Peer mentors with ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app’s Academy for Community Inclusion are required to spend a minimum of 20 hours per month with assigned mentee and mentoring time may occur in a variety of settings (e.g. academic, vocational, social). Peer mentors are also required to attend training sessions.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet: To be considered, applicants must be enrolled at ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app at least half-time, have a 3.0 cumulative gpa, have an interest in inclusion, and be able to pass a level 2 background check.


Business Mentor Program


Main point of contact: Michael Thomas (thomasm@fau.edu) 561-297-3676

Description: The Business Mentor Program brings together ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app and business professionals who share common professional interests.Ìý BMP’s primary focus is the fostering of one-on-one mentoring relationships that help ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app develop the soft skills, temperament, and proper business conduct needed for their fledgling careers to flourish with the least amount of stress and strain.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet: BMP caters to juniors, seniors, and graduate ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app in good standing with GPA's >3.0. Exceptions are granted on a case-by-case basis. The Business Mentor Coach must conduct an interview with ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app interested in participating in the Business Mentor Program prior to acceptance.


¼ø»ÆÊ¦app’s Academy for Community Inclusion


Main point of contact: Gwendolyn Carey (gcarey@fau.edu) 561-799-8348

Description: The ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app Academy for Community Inclusion is a comprehensive transition program for adults with intellectual disabilities and continues to employ approximately 10 peer mentors per semester to support our ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app with intellectual disabilities. Peer mentors with ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app’s Academy for Community Inclusion are required to spend a minimum of 20 hours per month with assigned mentee and mentoring time may occur in a variety of settings (e.g. academic, vocational, social). Peer mentors are also required to attend training sessions.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet: To be considered, applicants must be enrolled at ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app at least half-time, have a 3.0 cumulative gpa, have an interest in inclusion, and be able to pass a level 2 background check.


iRISE2, Interest and Relationships Impacting Social Engagement and Employment


Main point of contact: Alexzandria May (amay8@fau.edu) 561-212-8094

Description: iRISE2, Interest and Relationships Impacting Social Engagement and Employment, is a mentoring program offered at ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. Through various programs, the iRISE2 Mentoring Program serves youth and young adults ages 11-35 (with flexibility) with autism and related disabilities. These programs aim to help these youth and young adults reach their full potential for personal development and independence while enriching their social-cognitive capacity through interest-based mentoring. Our program is 100% virtual!

Program Options:

  1. STEM & Mindfulness: Program runs for 6 consecutive Wednesdays from 5-6:15 pm EST via Zoom with audio and video capabilities. In this program, you will be paired one-on-one with a protégé (ages 11-21), and we meet weekly in a group setting with both program coordinators present to assist. Matches will work together in breakout rooms to build robot kits, learn about healthy recipes, and sticker by number, to name a few activities. Program activities change from program to program. Everything will be mailed to your home free of charge. No experience in STEM is necessary! The program takes place in Spring, Summer, and Fall.
  2. Independent Living Skills Program: The program runs for 6 consecutive Thursdays from 5-6:15 pm EST via Zoom with audio and video capabilities. In this program, you will be paired one-on-one with a protégé (ages 16 and up) and we meet weekly in a group setting with both program coordinators present to assist. We will be working on Self-Care/Mental Wellness, exploring budgeting and financial literacy techniques, tips on managing the home, time management, and Online Safety/Social Media Etiquette with supplemental material provided by the program coordinators. *Topics subject to change based on participants feedback after each program. The program takes place in Spring, Summer, and Fall.

There is no experience required for any of our programs and training and support will be provided.

Criteria ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app must meet:

  • Be at least 16 years old to volunteer with our Site-Based/Group Mentoring Programs Only
  • Commit to attending at least 4 of the 6 program sessions
  • Submit a Completed Application
  • Schedule and Complete a Mentor Interview (about 1hr)
  • Provide 3 personal references
  • Successfully complete Mentor Background Screening Form and Background Screening scheduled a day/time/location of your convenience nationwide (Free of charge for iRISE2 Mentors)

Alexzandria May can provide volunteer hours verification, certificates, and letters of recommendation as needed for mentors.


International Friends Program


Main point of contact: Nhi Truong (ifp@fau.edu) 561-297-3049

Description: The mission of the International Friends Program (IFP) is to help new international ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app transition and navigate college life at Florida Atlantic while promoting cross-cultural friendship and fostering a sense of belonging among international and domestic ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app.

Visit fau.edu/global/ifp for more information.


Wilkes Honors College Peer Mentor Program


Main point of contact: : Elaine Jordat (ejahnse1@fau.edu) 561-297-4922

Description: The goal of the program is to help first time in college and new transfer ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app develop the skills and connections they will need to be successful in college. Current WHC ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app volunteer to serve as Peer mentors and are available to share information about college resources and encourage student involvement such as promoting and participating in events and student organizations on campus.

Visit fau.edu/student/jupiter/college-peer-mentor-program for more information.


Floyd Scholars


The Dr. Deborah L. Floyd Scholars program is specifically designed to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s leaders in higher education. In collaboration with a community of alumni, friends, and higher education leaders, the program offers financial assistance to Ph.D. ¼ø»ÆÊ¦app to build a network of mentors and colleagues by supporting research conference attendance and mentoring activities.

Visit /education/centersandprograms/floyd-scholars/ for more information.