Columbia Mentoring Initiative (CMI)

The OMA Columbia Mentoring Initiative (CMI) is an inter-generational mentorship program that connects first years with returning students (Upper-Class Mentors), and all students with alumni. In addition to program-wide, cross-cultural programming for all participants, students have the opportunity to get involved in various "family trees":

• Asian Family Tree
• Black Family Tree
• International Family Tree
• Latino Family Tree
• LGBTQ Familty Tree

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

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 the Office of Multicultural Affairs and actively connects with Columbia’s alumni affinity associations: ACAA (Asian Columbia Alumni Association), BAC (Black Alumni Council), Columbia Pride (for LGBTQ alumni), and LAACU (Latino Alumni Association of Columbia University).  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.

First year students: Please click http://tiny.cc/0yy6i to apply to be a first year participant.

Upper-Class students: Please click http://tiny.cc/vf3tx to apply to be an upper-class mentor.

If you are an alumnus interested in getting involved with CMI, please contact us at cmi@columbia.edu.