The Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering at UC Riverside has introduced the Future Academics and Mentorship Excellence (FAME) program to help graduate students and postdoctoral researchers prepare for engineering faculty careers. The program launched in spring 2025 and brought together nearly 30 participants from across the country for structured mentoring and career preparation.

FAME includes a two-day workshop designed to connect emerging scholars with experienced faculty mentors, build peer-support networks, and provide practical guidance on the academic job search—such as preparing application materials and understanding the faculty hiring process.

The program is supported by a nearly $550,000 grant from the UC Office of the President as part of an initiative aimed at strengthening and diversifying the future engineering faculty pipeline.