The Black Scholars Initiative Mentoring Program is designed to help first-year and continuing students build relationships with staff and faculty, monitor their academic performance and personal well-being, and provide a supportive network that encourages artistic development. Students can opt into the program during our annual pre-orientation program or by emailing us at bsi@berklee.edu.
About the BSI Mentors
BSI Mentors are Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee faculty and staff who self-identify as Black and/or African American. Every year, our mentors go through an application and training process that we co-develop and curate with campus partners like Counseling Services, Health and Wellness, and Equity, just to name a few.
Become a BSI Mentor
Roles and Responsibilities
Mentor Roles and Responsibilities
Commit to serve as a mentor for at least one full academic year
Meet with your assigned mentee in person between four and six times per academic year
Provide encouragement and support as a positive role model
Serve as a positive role model through demonstrating patience, professionalism, tolerance, and reflective listening
In partnership with your assigned mentee, help them to develop a set of realistic goals of their choice
Fill out our standardized Mentor Check-In Form within two business days after meeting with your assigned mentee
Communicate regularly with your assigned mentee via meetings, email, phone, and/or text messages to stay updated on the progress of your mentee's educational and professional endeavors
Attend a minimum of one training session each semester
Attend Black Scholars Initiative events as requested by program staff
Maintain an open and honest line of communication with the Black Scholars Initiative program manager
Recognize your role as a responsible employee, inform your mentee that you're a responsible employee, and report any problematic issues
Respect your mentee’s time, opinions, values, and decision-making
Establish appropriate boundaries with your mentee and their family
Encourage and support your mentee
Respect the confidentiality of the mentoring relationship
Direct your mentee to appropriate educational, financial, and social services as needed
Before You Apply
Please note:
Mentors can be faculty, staff, or chairs employed by the College or Conservatory and must receive approval from their direct supervisor prior to serving as a mentor.
We welcome staff at every level to serve as a mentor, but please note that positions higher than chair (e.g., dean, senior vice president, etc.) are not eligible to receive an honorarium through the program
Mentors will be required to re-apply every Summer by the posted deadline in order to serve as a mentor for the following academic year
Mentees are paired with mentors during the month of September of each academic year
We pair one mentor with one student each academic year. If there is an opportunity to be paired with more than one student, BSI staff will reach out to registered mentors and pair additional students accordingly
How to Apply
If you are a staff or faculty member at the College or Conservatory, and you are interested in becoming a new mentor for the 2024–2025 academic year, please note that registration will open in September 2024.
Compensation
At the end of each academic year (spring—May), mentors will receive a $250 honorarium per assigned mentee, provided that they successfully complete the mentoring responsibilities as outlined above
Upcoming events are posted on the BSI Events page. Feel free to share the link with your mentees, and encourage them to attend events if their schedule permits.
Berklee Early Alert System
The Berklee Early Alert System allows faculty and staff to partner in supporting the personal and academic wellbeing of our students. Visit the Early Alert Process page (login required) for detailed information and the link to submit an alert.
View a comprehensive list of on-campus academic, financial, and social resources to support student success.
Responsible Employee Policy
Read the Responsible Employee Policy to learn about your obligations, available training, and how to explain your reporting obligations to someone.
Please be sure to inform your mentee that you are a responsible employee and are required to share certain information with Berklee. Explain the types of information you will be required to share, with whom, and why.
