Welcome to FIERCE
Fostering Inclusion by Engaging in Real-World Computing Education
An inclusive Residential Academic Program for incoming Computer Science and Informatics students at UMass Amherst. Find your people, build real friendships, and discover your path in computing — together.
Mission & History
FIERCE was founded in 2019 at UMass Amherst's College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) with one goal in mind: to make computing feel like home for students who might otherwise feel like they don't belong. We are an inclusive RAP that welcomes Women, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and all students from communities underrepresented in tech.
Since launching in fall 2022, FIERCE has grown into a close-knit community of mentors and students who support one another through the challenges of first-year college life — not just academically, but personally. Because the best thing about FIERCE isn't the workshops or résumé tips. It's the friendships you make on your floor at 2am when you're debugging together.
We are proudly housed within UMass CICS and live together in Webster Hall, creating a unique live-learn environment where your classmates are also your neighbors.
Find Your People
Starting college is exciting — and a little terrifying. Moving to a new place, meeting new people, figuring out who you are. FIERCE is designed to make that transition feel less like a leap and more like a step, because you're taking it alongside people who get it.
Living on the same floor as your FIERCE cohort means late nights, inside jokes, coffee runs before 8am lectures, and friends who will still be texting you four years from now. We do plenty of structured things — workshops, speaker events, field trips — but the magic is in the unstructured moments in between.
Whether you're a social butterfly or more of an observer, FIERCE meets you where you are. There's no pressure to be a certain kind of student. Just come as you are, and let the community do the rest.
Benefits of Joining
FIERCE gives you the people, resources, and experiences to make your first year one you'll actually look back on fondly.
See What We're About
From conference trips to game nights to just hanging out — here's a look at what FIERCE actually looks like.
Our Team
FIERCE is run by students, for students. Click a card to learn more about each mentor.
Requirements
FIERCE is intentionally low-barrier. We care more about who you are than what you already know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply?
FIERCE is open to all incoming first-year students enrolled in or intending to study Computer Science or Informatics at UMass Amherst. We especially welcome students from underrepresented communities in tech — including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, BIPOC students, and anyone who wants a more supportive on-ramp into computing. You don't need any prior experience; just a genuine curiosity and openness to community.
How much time should I expect to commit?
FIERCE is designed to fit naturally into your first-year schedule. Most weeks, you'll have one or two optional events — a workshop, study session, speaker, or social hangout. There are a few anchor events each semester that we strongly encourage everyone to attend, but nothing is ever mandatory in a punishing way. The biggest commitment is simply choosing to live on the FIERCE floor and being present in the community.
How do I apply?
Fill out our interest form on the Contact page. We'll follow up with more information before the fall semester begins. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so filling it out early is a good idea. If you have questions in the meantime, feel free to email us directly at fiercementors@umass.edu.
Does it cost any money?
Nope — completely free. Every event, workshop, field trip, and resource within FIERCE is provided at no cost to participants. Housing costs are standard UMass residential rates and are separate from program participation.
What's the difference between FIERCE and a regular dorm?
In a typical dorm, you share a building with students from all majors and have little built-in structure for connection. In FIERCE, your floor is intentionally your community — your neighbors are also your study partners, your mentors, and eventually your friends. You'll have shared programming, a dedicated mentorship team, and a cohort that's going through the same things you are, at the same time. It's a much more supported first-year experience.
Join FIERCE This Fall
Fill out the interest form to get updates and secure your spot in the FIERCE community.