The Advising Fellows Program is a professional and leadership development program for advising and student services professionals across UC Berkeley. Through participation in Advising Strategy + Training (AS+T) initiatives, fellows strengthen leadership skills, expand professional networks, and deepen their understanding of Berkeley's advising and student services ecosystem.
Throughout the one-year fellowship, fellows combine meaningful contributions to the advising and student services community with individualized professional growth through collaboration, coaching, and applied learning.
Interested in becoming an Advising Fellow for the 2026-2027 academic year?
Join one of our upcoming information sessions to learn more about the fellowship and application process.
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Tuesday, July 14, 2026 10:00 a.m. [Register for this session]
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Monday, August 3rd, 2026 11:00 a.m. [Register for this session]
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort are open through 5pm Friday, August 7, 2026.
How the Fellowship Works
The Advising Fellows Program combines professional growth with opportunities to contribute to the advising and student services community through Advising Strategy + Training (AS+T) priorities and initiatives. Throughout the fellowship, fellows engage in meaningful initiatives that strengthen the advising and student services community while developing new skills through applied learning, coaching, collaboration, and reflection.
Fellows are matched to a Focus Area based on program needs and, whenever possible, their professional growth interests. Each Focus Area offers unique opportunities to apply existing expertise, develop new skills, and support initiatives that benefit the advising and student services community.
Focus Areas
Focus Areas represent the primary environments in which fellows contribute and grow. While specific initiatives may vary from year to year, each Focus Area offers unique opportunities to support the advising and student services community.
| Focus Area | Contributions |
|---|---|
| Community Engagement | Community-building activities, facilitation, events, networking opportunities, recognition initiatives, and collaborative projects. |
| Assessment & Program Development | Assessment activities, program planning, evaluation, process improvement, strategic planning, and implementation of new or existing initiatives. |
| Knowledge Access & Navigation | Development and enhancement of resources, communications, websites, training materials, and knowledge management tools. |
Commitment
The Advising Fellows Program is a one-year commitment, running from September through July.
Fellows should expect to contribute approximately 10-15 hours per month on average. The monthly commitment may vary throughout the year based on focus area activities, events, and other fellowship responsibilities.
Throughout the fellowship, fellows will:
- Attend twice-monthly cohort meetings.
- Participate in regular individual development meetings with the Manager of Advising Policy and Strategy.
- Pursue individualized professional growth through coaching, reflection, development planning, and applied learning.
- Participate in activities and initiatives within their assigned Focus Area.
- Contribute to initiatives, events, resources, projects, and other work aligned with their Focus Area.
- Participate in fellowship community-building and collaborative learning opportunities.
- Support the continued success of the fellowship through program evaluation and, as appropriate, future recruitment and onboarding activities.
Benefits of Participation
As an Advising Fellow, you will have opportunities to:
- Receive a fellowship stipend* in recognition of your participation and contributions.
- Receive individualized coaching and professional development support.
- Develop leadership, facilitation, communication, project planning, and professional skills through meaningful work and applied learning.
- Pursue professional growth opportunities aligned with your individual development interests.
- Contribute to initiatives that strengthen the advising and student services community through Advising Strategy & Training (AS+T) priorities and initiatives.
- Build relationships with colleagues across UC Berkeley and expand your professional network.
- Gain a deeper understanding of Berkeley's advising and student services ecosystem.
- Bring new knowledge, skills, perspectives, and connections back to your home department.
*Fellowship stipends are subject to applicable collective bargaining agreements and university policy.
Application Process
Up to four fellows will be selected. Following selection, each fellow will be matched to a Focus Area.
Applicants are encouraged to attend an optional information session to learn more about the program and application process.
The application process includes:
- Attend an information session (optional).
- Submit an application, including confirmation of supervisor approval.
- Participate in an interview, if selected.
- Selection of Advising Fellows.
- Matching to a Focus Area.
- Complete the Fellowship Agreement.
- Participate in fellowship orientation.
Eligibility
The Advising Fellows Program welcomes applications from advising and student services professionals across UC Berkeley. Fellows represent a wide variety of campus divisions, including schools and colleges, Student Affairs, Equity & Inclusion, University Extension, and other units that support students. We encourage applications from staff who work with pre-collegiate, undergraduate, graduate, professional, and visiting students.
Minimum Requirements
- At least three years of student services experience, including a minimum of one year at UC Berkeley.
- Ability to commit approximately 10-15 hours per month throughout the one-year fellowship.
- Supervisor approval to participate in the fellowship.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A commitment to improving the Berkeley student and staff experience.
- An interest in contributing to Advising Strategy & Training (AS+T) priorities and initiatives that support the advising and student services community.
- A holistic, equity-oriented, strengths-based approach to student services.
- Initiative and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- A desire to learn, grow, and contribute as a professional.
Supervisors
The Advising Fellows Program is a no-cost professional development opportunity that enables supervisors to support their staff's professional growth while contributing to initiatives that strengthen the advising and student services community.
To ensure shared expectations and alignment, supervisors will be asked to review and sign a Fellowship Agreement outlining the fellow's Focus Area, fellowship expectations, and time commitment. Fellows should expect to commit approximately 10-15 hours per month throughout the fellowship.
Supervisors are encouraged to discuss participation in the Advising Fellows Program, including any necessary workload adjustments, with their staff. Participation in the fellowship can also serve as a meaningful Achieve Together professional development goal.
If you have questions about your staff member's participation, please contact advising-strategy-and-training@berkeley.edu