Alumni

Selection Process

CPL staff and select members of the CPL Alumni Council will match current fellows and alumni by considering need, professional field, interests, and lived experiences for the best possible fit.  

Selections and pairings will be communicated by email from cpl_alumni@hks.harvard.edu. Once selections are finalized, CPL staff will facilitate the initial introduction between mentees and mentors so those selected can connect and begin their mentorship journey. 

The 2025–2026 academic year marks the relaunch of the CPL mentorship program. To ensure a focused and impactful experience, participation will be limited in scale this year, and as a result, it is likely that not all applicants will be selected. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to learning from this relaunch, with plans to expand the program to full scale in summer 2026. If you are not selected for the program, CPL will provide other opportunities for you to connect with fellows.

Timeline

This program will run from November 2025 to May 2026.

• September 30, 2025: Application deadline for students
• October 10, 2025: Application deadline for alumni
• Mid to late October 2025: Selection process completed; mentorship pairings communicated.
• Early November 2025 to May 2026: Mentorship pairs meet at least three times.
• May 31, 2026: Mentorship program concludes; mentees and mentors complete feedback survey. 

Getting Started

• Following CPL’s introductory email, your mentee will reach out to you to set up your first meeting. It is the mentee's responsibility to drive the mentorship by proactively reaching out to you and organizing meeting times. 
   
• Mentors and mentees should establish and agree upon their preferred communication methods and frequency of meetings prior to, or during, their first meeting.
   
• We encourage you to invite your mentee to share their goals and expectations early on. Asking about this during your first conversation can help guide your interactions and ensure the mentorship is meaningful and tailored to your mentee’s aspirations.
   
• Be prepared to serve as a resource for your mentee. Mentors can provide a range of support, such as answering questions, coaching, giving advice, and making introductions within your network.  

Program Expectations

• Once the introduction email from CPL has been received, the mentee is expected to drive forward the mentorship and scheduling of meetings. 
   
• Commit to meeting with your mentee at least three times between November 2025 and May 2026.  
   
• Meetings with your mentee should be at least 30 minutes in duration, one-on-one conversations, and face-to-face, meaning either in person or by video call.  
   
• Please keep and follow up on any commitments made with your mentee. Offer consistent support and availability. If for any reason you cannot keep a commitment with your mentee, we expect that you will communicate transparently and promptly.
   
• Participants are expected to engage in consistent and timely communication, following a schedule agreed upon by both parties.
   
• While mentors may provide valuable guidance in career exploration, mentees should not directly ask their mentors for jobs or internships.  
   
• Both the mentor and mentee are responsible for their own respective costs at any in-person meetings. For example, if you meet for coffee or a meal, each individual pays for their own food and drink.  
  • CPL is unable to provide funding or reimbursement for any expenses affiliated with meeting your mentee in person.  
     
• At the end of the program in May 2026, you will be expected to complete a feedback survey which will help CPL staff adjust future iterations of the mentorship program.  
   
• If your mentee is unresponsive, such as repeated missed meetings, unanswered emails, or lack of engagement, please contact CPL staff as soon as possible at cpl_alumni@hks.harvard.edu so that we may help address any concerns.

Getting Started

• Following CPL’s introductory email, reach out to your mentor to set up your first meeting. It is your responsibility to drive the mentorship by proactively reaching out to your mentor and organizing meeting times.  
   
• Mentors and mentees should establish and agree upon their preferred communication methods and frequency of meetings prior to, or during, their first meeting.  
   
• Work with your mentor to collaboratively identify and set clear goals. We encourage you to share your goals and expectations with your mentor early on. Including this information in your introductory email can help guide your conversations and set a clear direction for your time together.  
   
• Come prepared to each meeting by having prepared questions, topics, or updates you’d like to discuss.  
   
• Mentors can provide a range of support, such as answering questions, coaching, giving advice, and making introductions within their network. Stay open to feedback and guidance from your mentor. Likewise, be sure to share your own feedback with your mentor to help shape and improve your experience together.  

Program Expectations

• Once the introduction email from CPL has been received, you, the mentee, are expected to drive forward the mentorship and scheduling of meetings. 
   
• Commit to meeting with your mentor at least three times between November 2025 and May 2026.  
   
• Meetings with your mentor should be at least 30 minutes in duration, one-on-one conversations, and face-to-face, meaning either in person or by video call.  
   
• Please keep and follow up on any commitments made with your mentor. Be available, responsive, and professional. If for any reason you cannot keep a commitment with your mentor, we expect that you will communicate transparently and promptly.  
   
• Participants are expected to engage in consistent and timely communication, following a schedule agreed upon by both parties.
   
• While mentors may provide valuable guidance in career exploration, mentees should not directly ask their mentors for jobs or internships.  
   
• Both the mentor and mentee are responsible for their own respective costs at any in-person meetings. For example, if you meet for coffee or a meal, each individual pays for their own food and drink.  
  • CPL is unable to provide funding or reimbursement for any expenses affiliated with meeting your mentor in person.  
     
• At the end of the program in May 2026, you will be expected to complete a feedback survey which will help CPL staff adjust future iterations of the mentorship program.  
   
• If your mentor is unresponsive, such as repeated missed meetings, unanswered emails, or lack of engagement, please contact CPL staff as soon as possible at cpl_alumni@hks.harvard.edu so that we may help address any concerns.