Columbia Mentoring Initiative (CMI) is an inter-generational mentorship program that connects first-year and transfer students (mentees) with returning students (mentors) and all students with alumni. In addition to program-wide events and activities for all participants, students have the opportunity to get involved in various "family trees" within the program.

• Asian Family Tree
• Black Family Tree
• Disability Justice Family Tree
• Indigenous Family Tree
• Latinx Family Tree
• LGBTQ Family Tree
• International Family Tree 
• Middle Eastern & North African (MENA) Family Tree
• Mixed Heritage Family Tree

For first-year students, CMI focuses on the adjustment to Columbia University and college life. The mentors and “family” members will emphasize leadership development, identity development, emotional health, academic success, belonging and community consciousness.

Join Columbia Mentoring Initiative 

There are multiple ways in which you can get involved, as we engage current undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni. Applications for mentor, mentee and leadership positions are available to all undergraduates students. Mentorship opportunities are open to all graduate students and alumni. Learn about CMI positions and opportunities for involvement. 

History

CMI is an outgrowth of the Alumni of Color Outreach Program (ACOP). ACOP was created in 1996 by Columbia College students, alumni and administrators who were eager to find ways to increase the involvement of alumni of color in the life of Columbia and to provide additional support for students of color. Today, the program is administered by Multicultural Affairs and actively connects with Columbia’s alumni affinity associations: Asian Columbia Alumni Association (ACAA), Black Alumni Council (BAC), Columbia Pride (LGBTQ alumni) and Latino Alumni Association of Columbia University (LAACU). CMI offers students the opportunity to be mentored by Columbia alumni from a wide range of career fields and the chance to participate in a variety of alumni–student events including Heritage Month receptions, intimate dinner–discussion programs, and site visits to alumni worksites.