The mission of the GEMS program is to increase student success in the first two years of the student’s college career in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) discipline. To accomplish this mission GEMS offers the following benefits to GEMS participants:
- A designated GEMS mentor who is an older EXCEL student from a similar discipline as the GEMS mentee. The GEMS mentor interacts with their mentees frequently face-to-face and through other means. The GEMS mentor offers the necessary support that a mentee might need to guarantee a smooth transition from high school to college in their first year at UCF.
- A dedicated EXCEL First Year Academic Success Coach and all the STEM college academic success coaches consult with the GEMS students in a timely and proactive fashion about the courses that they need to take in their designated STEM discipline.
- Mentorship events organized throughout the academic year to introduce GEMS participants to role models from STEM disciplines and the opportunity to interact with them on a one-to-one basis.
- Social activities that help solidify the bonds amongst the mentors, mentees, GEMS staff and other EXCEL students, bonds that are critical for a student’s success in their first year in college.
- All the benefits offered by the EXCEL program to its student participants (for more details click on EXCEL).
- This program is open to all students in EXCEL/COMPASS.
Learn more about the program from our current mentors!
Upcoming Events
GEMS Events
Join us the Sunday before classes begin for a GEMS mentoring dessert social where you’ll get to know your mentor and meet fellow mentees in the program!
Join us in the EXCEL Center for an exciting Speed Friending event to meet mentees and mentors alike in a fast-paced and fun environment!