The RLCIE Fellows designation is awarded to students at the 5Cs who engage with one or more of the RLCIE's experiential programs in a substantial way during their studies. The opportunities we sponsor complement the other experiences students have at the college, with the goal of advancing our mission: to help prepare students to be thoughtful, productive, and responsible business leaders and innovators.
Our programs are co-curricular, experiential, team-based, and have real-stakes outcomes: the work either advances a student team's project or a project for an external client. Several programs are led by students, and we also leverage the alumni and parent network at the Claremont Colleges: alumni and parents provide workshops, serve as mentors, become clients, act as judges, and contribute in other ways. We also engage several stakeholders who are not alumni or parents.
The RLCIE Fellows designation can be earned by any student at the 5Cs who is willing to do the work—our programs are open to students in all majors and areas of study. Most students begin participating in our programs as freshmen or sophomores.
Join
Information about participating in the Fellows Program will be posted near the beginning of the semester, with a registration deadline of September 11, 2026. Contact RLCIE Executive Director Ron LaPierre at [email protected] if you are interested in participating, or have any questions.
Earning the Designation
New Fellows candidates entering the program in the 2026–2027 academic year can pursue one or more of the following pathways to earn the Fellows designation. Some pathways require acceptance into an application-based student-run group, but there are also several options that are accessible to everyone. Earlier Fellows candidates can either conform to these or to the previous requirements they were operating under.
All paths begin with the RLCIE's Innovation Sprint. After completing the Spring, students can earn the Fellows designation through any of the following:
Pathway 1: Participate in Claremont Accelerator as a founder or intern for an entire cycle (an academic year).
Pathway 2: Participate in a Graphite Group project until its completion.
Pathway 3: Complete the introductory and project-based components of Product Space's programming.
Pathway 4: Complete at least two of the following:
- Participate in CA Studio for a full cycle (until its completion).
- Complete the RLCIE Venture Capital program.
- Participate in the RLCIE Mentoring Program for at least two semesters (this option may depend on the availability of suitable mentors).
- Participate in the RLCIE Career Paths program (more details below).
- Attend at least four RLCIE-sponsored workshops, and submit one-page recaps of key takeaways and learnings from each event.
BUILD A STARTUP IN 10 DAYS
The Challenge: Validate a real problem. Build a solution. Pitch to judges.
Compete for cash prizes and unlock access to RLCIE programs.
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
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Problem | Solution | Business | Pitch! |
| WHAT YOU'LL BUILD | WHAT YOU NEED |
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| AI TOOLS YOU'LL USE | PRIZES & BENEFITS |
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READY TO BUILD?
Registration Deadline: Friday, September 11, 2026
Registration link coming soon
Questions? Email Ron LaPierre at [email protected]
Click here for the Fall 2026 schedule: https://www.cmc.edu/sites/default/files/rlcie_x_hmcs_career_paths_-_schedule.pdf
Students in their second year and above who have completed the innovation sprint are encouraged to take advantage of the RLCIE’s 1:1 mentorship program. Each student participant works with the Senior Program Manager to identify their focus and goals in building their professional network. Then, the RCLIE works to pair them with a Claremont Colleges alum whose background and experience matches their career interests. If a mentor is found, both parties commit to monthly contact over the course of a semester.
Additional Benefits
Most of the benefits associated with participating in the RLCIE Fellows Program are due to the direct experiences involved. However, there are also several related benefits:
- Preferred access to RLCIE workshops, and in some cases, exclusive access
- Exclusive access to the Career Paths program's guidance on career paths and roles in the tech industry
- RLCIE Mentorship Program eligibility
- Training on network building and full access to a Harmonic.AI subscription
- Regular networking sessions with alumni active in the innovation economy
- Priority access to campus-wide RLCIE events
- RLCIE swag and social events
- Input on future workshop topics and networking sessions
- Opportunities for paid roles on the RLCIE student leadership team
- Academic advising related to the student's goals in business, innovation, and entrepreneurship