EMERGE

EMERGE: Community-Based Mentorship for First-Year Engineers

Meet our team

EMERGE mentors

Office of Community Engagement and Outreach

EMERGE is a mentorship program in the College of Engineering’s Office of Community Engagement and Outreach. We connect first-year students with a supportive network of peers, mentors, and staff who help students navigate the transition to CMU academically, socially, and personally.

Why join EMERGE?

Ready to join?

Applications open in June for incoming first-year engineering students. Questions? Contact Lauren Greenwald.

Join a mentor family

Students join a mentor family led by an upperclass student and made up of five to six first-year students. It’s a small, welcoming group where students can ask questions, share experiences, and get to know other first‑year engineers.

A no pressure space to learn and grow

EMERGE gives you room to explore CMU, build community, and develop as a college student with support from people who’ve been in your shoes.

Events that help you connect

Throughout the year, mentees participate in social and professional events designed specifically for first-year engineers. Past events include:

  • Alumni panels
  • Bingo and movie nights
  • Registration workshops
  • Headshot sessions
  • Networking and goal‑setting workshops

These events help mentees build community, learn new skills, and meet people across the college.

Opportunities beyond your first year

Active EMERGE participants become eligible to apply for the PITA Student Fellowship, which awards eight students a $2,000 stipend to conduct research with College of Engineering faculty during the spring of sophomore year.

From the mentees

“My mentor family became a close, personal community where I truly felt like I belonged. It eased my fears about fitting in and introduced me to amazing friends.” 
“EMERGE pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me navigate an intimidating new campus, both physically and academically. It showed me that support is everywhere and that balance and success aren’t mutually exclusive.”
“The most impactful part of EMERGE was having a no‑pressure space to ask raw questions to someone who had already navigated the trenches of CMU.”

How EMERGE works

Mentor families

Mentor families meet once a month to build community and talk about academics, course planning, student organizations, and more. Mentors also receive a small budget to take their mentees off campus for activities like dinner, ice cream, or boba.

Office hours

EMERGE mentees are required to attend office hours at least once per semester. They may join any of the Community Engagement Team’s weekly office hours (three options each week). Office hours provide a space for mentees to connect with one another and for the team to get to know students. Mentors help staff Lauren’s office hours, offering a chill space to study, get homework help, ask questions, and enjoy snacks.

Events and workshops

EMERGE mentees participate in four to five EMERGE events each semester, designed specifically for first‑year engineers and focused on community‑building, academic support, and professional development. In addition to EMERGE‑hosted events, mentees can also earn EMERGE credit by attending select College of Engineering events offered throughout the year. These additional opportunities give students flexibility while helping them explore resources, connect with peers, and engage with the broader engineering community.