The EXCEL Mentorship Program (EMP) pairs EXCEL students with Georgia Tech undergraduate peers to help students build confidence, develop skills, explore interests, and become more engaged members of the Georgia Tech community. The current program also emphasizes goal-based support and matching mentors and students around shared goals and interests. Peer mentors are vital to the success of the EXCEL program, serving as a bridge to inclusion and helping students build self-confidence and become engaged on campus. In addition to the mentor roles, the EXCEL Mentorship Program hosts numerous inclusive events throughout the year, including a Spring Formal, Trunk or Treat, monthly sporting events, and many other activities on-campus and throughout the greater Atlanta community.

How Mentorship Works

The EMP is goal-based. Each EXCEL student works with peer mentors to grow in four areas:

  • Social skills: making friends, joining campus clubs, and handling new situations
  • Leadership development: speaking up, advocating for yourself, and taking initiative
  • Independent living skills: managing daily routines, schedules, and responsibilities
  • Executive functioning support: time management, organization, flexible thinking

Peer mentors are fellow Yellow Jackets. That's why we match each EXCEL student with mentors who share their goals and interests. Students and mentors push each other to step outside their comfort zones, hold each other accountable, and learn side by side.

A Community Across Campus

Our peer mentors come from all seven colleges at Georgia Tech, with a wide range of majors, career goals, and backgrounds. Together, they connect EXCEL students to the full campus experience. From going to football games to joining clubs and everything in between.

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"It is an incredible community. The students helped me just as much as I hope I've helped them. For example, I don't really cook much, but helping my mentee with meal prep helped me think through those skills. There were valuable lessons learned on both sides. Taking a step back, I've realized how important it is to focus on being a friend. Setting aside a little time to support EXCEL has been so beneficial. It has shown me different perspectives I wouldn't have seen otherwise. My biggest goal is to help more people learn about EXCEL and get involved because it's such a great community."

Mallory McRae, Bachelor of Science, Psychology, '25

mallory-and-alicia
Alicia Russell with Mallory McRae.

Learn more how mentors help EXCEL students thrive!