Forever Buffs Network Mentorship Program

 

 

 

 

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CASE District VI Award

The Forever Buffs Network Mentorship Program is an opportunity for CU Boulder alumni and students to foster meaningful relationships that support mentees in their future careers and life beyond CU. The program includes both alumni-to-alumni and alumni-to-student mentorship, enabling alumni to share their professional expertise, experiences and perspectives with current students and young alumni. CU faculty, staff, friends and family are also encouraged to serve as mentors. The only requirement is that participants register in the Forever Buffs Network. 

Successful mentorship isn't always about being matched with someone who shares your exact major, career path or industry. While our matching process carefully considers academic background, professional interests, career goals and preferences, some of the most impactful mentorship relationships are built through diverse experiences and perspectives. Every match is thoughtfully made to create the best possible mentorship experience. Meaningful professional and personal growth often comes from learning alongside someone with a different background. 

Our most successful participants approach mentorship with curiosity, openness and a willingness to learn from one another. By embracing new perspectives and unexpected connections, mentors and mentees alike often discover some of the program's most valuable outcomes. 

Apply by Sept. 30

Mentors and mentees that complete all the milestones in the program will be eligible for an official Credly Certificate and completion badge. Credly badges are offered in partnership with the Office of the Registrar. Learn more about CU Boulder-issued Credly badges and micro-credentials, click here.

Getting Started for Prospective Mentors and Mentees

  1. Apply by completing the 2026-27 Forever Buffs Network Mentorship Program Application via the Forever Buffs Network 

    1. Note: If you do not have an FBN account, you will be prompted to create one. 
    2. This form, along with information in your FBN profile, provides essential information for matching mentors and mentees. If you are selected and matched, you’ll be introduced to your match via email, with additional instructions in October. 
  2. Update/ Complete your profile: The Better Your Profile, the Better Your Prospective Match!
    1. Click “Edit Profile” in the top right corner and be sure to:
      1. Upload a professional photo
      2. Add your academic, professional, and volunteer experience
      3. Fill in the “Other Information” section to help create a strong, well-rounded match
        1. View How to Update your profile video
  3. Update key fields
    1. Be sure to complete your industry, location, and mentorship preferences as they will be considered in the matching process.
  4. Select your mentorship preference under “Offer Mentoring”:
    1. Alumni mentoring students → Select: “Be a mentor/mentee with a current student”
    2. Students seeking mentorship → Select: “Be a mentor/mentee with a current student”
    3. Alumni mentoring other alumni → Select: “Be a mentor/mentee with an alum”
    4. Alumni seeking mentorship → Select: “Be a mentor/mentee with an alum”
  5. Click “Save” at the bottom of your profile page to ensure your updates are recorded.

Please visit the Forever Buffs Network for resources for both mentors and mentees. If you have questions, send us an email.

Key Dates 2026–27

Fall 2026

Sept. 17:  Virtual Town Hall+ Q&A | 12–1 p.m. MT 
Open to all prospective mentors, mentees, and collaborators. Bring your questions! 

Sept. 30: 2026-27 FBN Mentorship Application due for mentors and mentees. 

Oct. 1-16: Matching Period 
We’ll be pairing mentors and mentees during this time. If selected, you’ll be matched in the FBN and introduced via email. 

Oct. 21: Program Launch 
The 2026-27 FBN Mentorship Program officially begins 

Nov. 4: Virtual Kickoff Meeting | 12–1 p.m. MT 

Nov. 18: Required Virtual Trainings for New Participants  

  • Asynchronous: Watch Short Forever Buffs Network Mentorship Tutorials via the Mentorship Group Resources in the FBN. 

Dec. 16: Deadline to complete Mentorship Charter 
Both mentors and mentees must sign the Mentorship Charter via DocuSign. 

Spring 2027 

End-of-Year Mentorship Program Celebrations: 

  • March. 31: In-person Celebration | 6–7 p.m. MT.  

Koenig Alumni Center 
1202, University Ave 
Boulder, CO 80309 

Register via the FBN group. 

Who can be a mentor?

If you are a CU Boulder alumni, you are encouraged to participate in the mentorship program, as your story may be one that helps another Forever Buff. As a mentor, you will serve a role in the professional and personal development of your mentees. You will help your mentees navigate challenges, set goals, learn professional behavior and identify the options ahead of them. Through regular connection and intentional interactions, you can have a long-term impact on your mentee.

Mentors are encouraged to connect with their mentees regularly throughout their established mentorship relationship. Your mentorship can help provide structure to your mentee’s life, plan for the next steps in their career and help them build their professional networks. 

If you are a young alum or current CU Boulder student you can be a mentee. As a mentee, your goal is to broaden your professional network and enhance your personal development using strategic planning and effective personal skills. As a mentee, you will gain knowledge from your mentor and must have the ambition to practice and demonstrate what you have learned. Your role is to identify your goals and needs while gauging whether or not you’re getting what you need from your mentor. 

Mentees are encouraged to connect with their mentors regularly throughout their established mentorship relationship.The Forever Buffs Network Mentorship Program begins in mid-October after mentorship pairs are introduced and runs through April.

Mentors and mentees will be matched based on the Forever Buffs Network’s unique algorithm, taking into account users’ profile details, including industry, location and the field selected for “What type of mentorship relationship are you seeking?” 

Industry selection for Mentees:

We recommend that you select an industry closest to that for which you are interested in pursuing. This may or may not coincide with your current industry, academic major or degree. For example, if your major is Business Administration, but you are interested in pursuing a career in the film industry, select "Motion Pictures & Film."

Location selection for Mentees:

We recommend that you select your location based on where you are attempting to advance your career. For example, if you currently reside in Boulder but plan to move to New York after graduation, select New York as your location. This will help match you with a mentor in the New York area who would be a more suitable match for your career and networking needs.

BIPOC mentorship:

BIPOC Mentorship pairs will be matched based on industry and circumstance. We cannot guarantee BIPOC mentorship pairs and will do our best to satisfy this relationship type. For those who do not get matched with a BIPOC mentor/mentee, please be encouraged to join the BIPOC Mentorship Community in the Mentorship Group. The BIPOC Mentorship Community will include regular panel discussions and opportunity for peer-to-peer connection.

By joining the program, you are committing to the mentorship relationship for the 2026–2027 academic year (beginning in Oct. 2026 and ending in April 2027). The timeline ensures pairs have adequate time to connect, agree upon goals and work together to complete program milestones. Program curriculum (milestones) and key dates will be communicated through the Forever Buffs Network Mentorship Group to help mentors and mentees stay on track. 

We cannot guarantee that everyone who joins the program will be matched. In the instance of an uneven number of available mentors or mentees, some individuals may be left unmatched. Our Forever Buffs staff plan to communicate with any individual left unmatched and discuss steps for future involvement.

The mentorship program can be completed 100% virtually. Mentors and mentees are encouraged to meet once a month at a minimum.

Kickoff events and trainings are held both in-person, virtually over Zoom, and asynchronously.

Trainings are required for new mentors and mentees.

Hear from past mentors and mentees

Mentee, Muhammad Ali (PhDJour’26) 

I learned a great deal about industry careers, including how to create a strong resume. One of the most beneficial aspects of the experience was having access to a mentor who was supportive, responsive, and available whenever guidance was needed. Through this process, I gained many new insights and practical skills that are highly valuable as I navigate the job market.

Mentor, William Schafer (ChemEngr’75, MEd’77; PhDEd’86)

This was my first time being a mentor in this program, and I believe I received as much from it as my mentee. It reconnected me with CU Boulder in ways that pleasantly surprised me. I hope to stay in touch with my mentee even though the program has ended the academic year. Thank you, Forever Buffs, for implementing this worthwhile and wonderful mentor-mentee program!

Mentor, Jennifer Davies (Jour, MediaSt’09)

The mentorship program is just as beneficial to mentors as it is to mentees. Now that I have been both a mentee and a mentor, I see how challenging it can be to mentor others. Mentorship is a very fulfilling way to round out your experience and learn how to guide others through challenges.

Connect with students and fellow CU Boulder alumni by joining the Forever Buffs Network

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