Our Current Rales Fellows
CMU has always been the kind of place where groundbreakers and risk takers grow and thrive, making it a natural home for the Rales Fellows Program, as we know the biggest breakthroughs are shaped by leaders who represent all perspectives and origins.
Program Activities
The CMU Rales Fellows Program seeks to help develop Fellows across four dimensions: as scholars, individuals, professionals and citizens. Building authentic, long-lasting relationships and support networks is central to that goal. Through the Rales Fellows Program’s robust orientation program, ongoing Fellows activities and events, and personalized career exploration and preparation, Fellows are supported and connected with resources to help aid their success.
Orientation and Onboarding
Rales Fellows begin their journey with a specially designed orientation program, identifying key resources and staff available to help them succeed. They connect with faculty and mentors inside the program and across campus, build trust, craft preliminary personal development plans and participate in research projects that may engage the broader community. Fellows participate in social, cohort-building events, and receive support as they transition to Pittsburgh.
Personalized Career Exploration and Preparation
Fellows will prepare for their careers with the support of a dedicated full-time professional who provides personalized career planning and exploration. Fellows gain faculty mentorship, guidance on research communication strategies and conference presentations, and help identifying appropriate internship opportunities if they wish to pursue them.
Mentorship Growth Opportunities
Rales Fellows have access to guided opportunities to help mentor undergraduates and less experienced researchers in their lab, along with instruction in teaching through the Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence and Educational Innovation(opens in new window). Rales Fellows also have access to career services resources through the Career and Professional Development Center.
Co-Curricular Resources
Beyond the cohort-based community of the Rales Fellows Program, graduate life on CMU’s campus is rich with opportunities for engagement across 20+ graduate student organizations, including the Graduate Student Assembly, Students for Science and Tech Policy, Society of Women Engineers, Black Graduate Student Organization and more.
The Rales Fellows Gathering Space
Fellows have a community space on CMU’s campus in the WQED Building, famous for being home to the studio that filmed “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” The Rales Fellows Gathering Space has conference rooms, shared office spaces, a kitchenette and a community cohort lounge.
