ASPIRE! Program Celebrates Success and Welcomes New Cohort
This service is provided by TRANSFORM, in partnership with the Office of Faculty Professional Development, Diversity & Inclusion.
The ASPIRE peer and near-peer mentoring program at Columbia University Medical Center (CUIMC) has reached a significant milestone, as it celebrates the accomplishments of its 2024 cohort while launching a new session of workshops in January 2025. The program, uniquely designed to support early-career investigators through mentoring and professional development, continues to be a vital resource for fostering accountability, inspiration, and empowerment within the CUIMC community.
Dr. Katrina Armstrong delivering the keynote address during the ASPIRE end-of-year celebration.
The end-of-year celebration was held on May 29, 2024, and it highlighted the impact of the ASPIRE program. The event honored 19 scholars who successfully completed the program and featured a keynote address by Dr. Katrina Armstrong, Interim President, Columbia University and CEO, Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Dr. Armstrong shared her personal and professional mentoring experiences, emphasizing the importance of supportive networks and resources for career advancement. Her address underscored CUIMC’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of leaders in clinical and translational research.
The 19 scholars of the 2024 ASPIRE cohort with the program’s leadership team at the celebration event.
The ASPIRE Peer Mentoring Program’s new cohort began workshops this January, marking the start of another transformative journey for participating scholars. These workshops are designed to provide tailored career development support and foster meaningful mentorship relationships, helping scholars navigate the challenges of early-stage research careers. For more details on the new cohort, visit ASPIRE Peer Mentoring Trainees.
As Dr. Gissette Reyes-Soffer, ASPIRE’s program leader, explains, “ASPIRE is more than a mentoring program; it’s a community where scholars can grow professionally and personally. This celebration was a testament to the resilience and dedication of our participants, and we’re excited to continue building on this success with our new cohort.”
Recruitment for future cohorts is ongoing. For more information about the program or to apply, visit the ASPIRE Program Website.