Mosaic+

Mosaic+ was created to foster Community, inspire Innovation, and provide Opportunity to underrepresented minority students.

Apply here!

We strive to make Computer Science at Brown University a more receptive and inclusive space for underrepresented racial minorities.

Fostering Community. Inspiring Collaboration.

Transition Program

Peer-Support Program and Pre-Orientation Program

The Mosaic+ Transition Program is a year-long mentorship and peer-support program that welcomes newly admitted underrepresented minority students to Brown University’s Computer Science department. The program begins with an online summer course, followed by an activity-packed pre-orientation program during the last 4 weeks of summer just before the first semester of the academic year. Students with be an exposed to an exciting mix of technical, community-oriented, fun activities and tasks to help prepare them for the rigors of computer science.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Mosaic+ Transition Program will be held during the fall 2020 semester. The program will now include a 3-week online, virtual program starting Monday October 26 until Friday November 13, that includes both asynchronous CS lessons and synchronous activities/workshops/info-sessions.

Who should apply?

This program is geared towards newly admitted, racially underrepresented minority students* who have any interest in computer science, or want to learn more about the field, at any level of experience!

*In Computer Science those who identify as Black, African-American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Hispanic, Latina/o/x, Native Hawaiian, and/or Pacific Islander are considered to be Underrepresented Racial and/or Ethnic Minorities (URMs)

How to apply:

Applications for the 2020 Transition Program will open at the end of August. Application closes on October 14. You may apply for the program through the application link here.

What will students learn during this program?

Throughout the course of the transition program, students will learn about:

  • Computer science as a field
  • Computer science at Brown University 
  • The Computer science industry
  • Coding basics in Python
  • What to expect in their first semester as a Computer Science student

When and where will this program be held?

For 2020, this program will run online for 3-weeks, starting Monday October 26 until Friday November 13. Eligible students will participate in asynchronous CS lessons and also have the opportunity to attend synchronous community-building activities, workshops and first-year info-sessions. Students admitted to the program are not eligible to move into the dorm early. Students in the program will move into their dorms at the same time as the rest of the first-year class.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to concentrate in CS to apply for the Mosaic+ Transition Program?
No. You do not need to concentrate in CS if you want to apply. Students will a general interest in CS are eligible to apply. Brown University students do not declare their concentration until their sophomore year.

How much does the Mosaic+ Transition Program cost?
$0.00. The cost of the Mosaic+ Transition Program is not charged to the student and/or the families involved, it is covered by the institution.

Can I participate in another pre-orientation program and Mosaic+ Transition Program?
Yes. Students that apply to Mosaic+ Transition Program may also apply to the Third World Transition Program (TWTP), Excellence at Brown, Bonner Community Fellows, and/or International Orientation.

Will participation in the Mosaic+ Transition Program be graded? Is the course for-credit?
No. This is a 0-credit optional pre-orientation program. Completion of the assignments in this course will have no affect on your first-year courses' grades or your official transcript. The lessons are exclusively for your benefit to gain a rudimentary understanding of CS concepts and programming languages before or while taking one of the CS intro courses (CS15, CS17, CS111, or CS19).

I have a job this fall, can I still participate in the program?
Yes, we estimate the daily time-commitment is 1-3 hours per day. However, this is a guideline and not a requirement. We ask that students get as much work as they can done, but recognize that students have busy lives and a lot of priorities to juggle, so the program is intentionally flexible.

I am registered for a CS class this fall, can I still participate in the program?
Yes, the program will still be applicable / relevant for students that choose to take CS0111 or CS0190 this Fall 2020 semester.

Mentorship Program

Striving towards a computer science department that not only accommodates but celebrates diversity.

the Mosaic+ Mentorship program fosters community for underrepresented minority students through structured peer support. Through interactive workshops, mentor-mentee relationships, and group study programs, Mosaic+ ensures minority students are provided the resources and networks necessary to make the most of their academic experience within Brown’s computer science department.

Big/Little System

The Mosaic+ mentorship system is broken down into pairs of Bigs and Littles. The role of a big is to provide mental, moral, and emotional support for their little. A big is a friend, mentor, and coach who seeks to encourage and motivate their little to succeed.

The Mosaic+ mentorship system is broken down into pairs of Bigs and Littles. The role of a big is to provide mental, moral, and emotional support for their little. A big is a friend, mentor, and coach who seeks to encourage and motivate their little to succeed.

Workshops

Workshops are monthly meetings held by Mosaic+ facilitators designed to help both members and non-members learn a number of non-course related concepts. In the fall semester, these topics will cover a  broad range of topics based on suggestions from Mosaic+’s members.  During the spring, we’ll split the workshops into two different tracks: workshops in the first track will offer preparation to students during their tech-internship search. The second track will be geared toward students who are not interested in obtaining a Computer Science related internship the following summer.

Workshops are monthly meetings held by Mosaic+ facilitators designed to help both members and non-members learn a number of non-course related concepts. In the fall semester, these topics will cover a  broad range of topics based on suggestions from Mosaic+’s members.  During the spring, we’ll split the workshops into two different tracks: workshops in the first track will offer preparation to students during their tech-internship search. The second track will be geared toward students who are not interested in obtaining a Computer Science related internship the following summer. 

Group Study

Group Studies are course-specific, bi-monthly meetings held by Mosaic+ facilitators to help Mosaic’s members understand course-related concepts. Each group study focuses on a new topic within its respective course and has the following design: a mini-lecture on the concept, space for the group members to collaboratively solve a problem using the given concept, and a space for individuals to solve another problem using the given concept. Group Studies always use original materials, both to hold collaboration policies and to make the problems more exciting!

About Us

Mosaic+ is a student-run organization which advocates for diversity in computer science. We strive towards an academic environment receptive to underrepresented minority students and faculty at Brown University. We are a group of committed and creative students working together to make proactive steps towards the celebration of diversity in the world of technology.

  • Spring 2015

    Our Humble Beginnings

    Our founding members meet for the first time to try to shift the status quo of CS at Brown to create a community for historically underrepresented minorities in Computer Science

  • Fall 2015

    Moasic+ is Born

    The club is officially launched!

  • Spring 2016

    Mentorship Progam Launch

    The stellar program that matches underclassmen with upperclassmen to provide academic, personal and social support and advice.

  • Summer 2016

    Our First Transition Program

    A group of 15 students were invited to participate in this life changing experience.

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    Of Our
    Story!

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