Apple Selects CU Boulder Students for Mentorship Program

11 students paired with Apple engineers in new Next-Gen Innovators initiative.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Apple has selected 11 students from the University of Colorado Boulder to participate in its first Next-Gen Innovators mentorship program, where the students are paired with Apple engineers from across the country to receive direct career guidance and industry experience.

Why it matters

The new Apple mentorship program provides CU Boulder engineering students with valuable one-on-one access to experienced professionals in the tech industry, giving them a potential career advantage as they look to launch their own careers after graduation.

The details

Through the program, each CU Boulder student meets virtually with their assigned Apple engineer mentor every two weeks to gain insights and advice. The students were selected after submitting applications to the program, which Apple launched to provide career development opportunities and a "leg up" for promising young innovators.

  • The Apple mentorship program launched in 2026 and will conclude at the end of the spring semester.

The players

Matias Blanco

A mechanical engineering student at the University of Colorado Boulder who is participating in the Apple mentorship program and meeting regularly with an iPhone product designer.

Keith Molenaar

The Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, who says the Apple program gives students "career experience and a leg up."

Apple

The technology company that launched the new Next-Gen Innovators mentorship program, pairing 11 CU Boulder students with Apple engineers.

University of Colorado Boulder

The public research university whose engineering students were selected to participate in Apple's new mentorship initiative.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's awesome having somebody who's really smart and has already been through this whole process. I can gain some real experience and knowledge from someone who is working in a great industry and knows a lot about how to help me possibly achieve that same goal of working in a really cool industry.”

— Matias Blanco, CU Boulder Student (timescall.com)

“It gives them career experience and a leg up. Even if they don't go to work for Apple after this is done, they've worked with engineers who are professionally making a difference.”

— Keith Molenaar, Dean, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Colorado Boulder (timescall.com)

What’s next

Although the Apple mentorship program concludes at the end of the spring semester, Matias Blanco and his Apple engineer mentor plan to stay in touch and continue their relationship beyond the program's official end date.

The takeaway

The new Apple mentorship program demonstrates the value of industry-academic partnerships in providing promising university students with direct access to experienced professionals and potential career opportunities, even at schools outside of Silicon Valley.