Under the umbrella of the Berkeley Business Excellence Program, the Berkeley Scholars program gives selected students personalized advising, mentorship, and advanced career opportunities. The program helps them excel as students and as future business leaders.
Beginning in 2021, 6 first-year students will be chosen each autumn via an application process to be Berkeley Scholars, creating a cohort of 24 students by 2025. Berkeley Scholars are expected sign a learning agreement, attend monthly programs and advising sessions, and track their progress through the program.
In addition to focused advising and mentoring, other benefits for Berkeley Scholars include: attending skill developing bootcamps, pre-registration for PCSB courses, access to financial support for experiential learning opportunities, and exclusive programs and networking opportunities designed to identify career pathways and build networks.
The Berkeley Scholar application for the PCSB Class of 2026 will be available in fall 2022.
To learn more about the Berkeley Scholar program, contact Andy Donahue, assistant director for student engagement and academic advising.
Michael Berkeley embodied many qualities that endeared him to countless individuals throughout his life. He was born in New Rochelle, NY, attended Iona Preparatory School and graduated from Providence College in 1985 with a BS in Finance. At PC, Mike was an MLK Scholar, walked onto the men’s basketball team, and set his sights on a career on Wall Street. He earned an MBA from Columbia Business School and interned at Salomon Brothers. Mike then joined Merrill Lynch’s sales and trading program. That same year, he met his wife, Lourdes Perez, who would become the love of his life. They later went on to have two sons. After several years spent honing his expertise, Mike founded his own firm, The Berkeley Group, focusing on securities brokerage, private equity investments and various golf course development projects. Golfing was near and dear to Mike. He started caddying at 12 and was the first recipient of Winged Foot’s Gene Hayden Outstanding Caddy Award. As his success grew, Mike became one of the very early black members of Winged Foot; something that was not lost on him in terms of significance. Mike tragically lost his life on September 11, 2001. His office was located on the 79th floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center.
